Alpay Özalan

Early career

His senior career started at Soma Linyitspor at TFF Third League. His performances caught the eye of the biggest teams in Turkey. In 1993, Özalan signed for Beşiktaş, one of the major Turkish clubs. Özalan set an undesirable record in the Süper Lig, earning three red cards in the space of six months. He played 148 matches for Beşiktaş, netting nine times. After six years at the club, a new deal could not be negotiated. His contract was initially bought by Siirt Jetpaspor, and he was then loaned to Fenerbahçe. In his sole season at Fenerbahçe, he played 26 matches, and found the net three times.

Aston Villa

After superlative performances for his country at Euro 2000, the 29-year-old Özalan signed for English club Aston Villa. He enjoyed a good first season with Villa and became a fan favourite. His abilities caught the interest of Arsenal and Newcastle United. His partnership with Olof Mellberg as central-defensive partners was cut short as Özalan injured his ankle which sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He recovered just in time for the 2002 World Cup, in which he formed the core of an obstinate Turkish defensive unit. They finished third and he was named in the team of the tournament. The biggest clubs in Europe took note of his performances in the Far East, including the likes of Barcelona and Internazionale. Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor refused to sell him, which was the beginning of Özalan's downfall at Villa Park. Media…

Özalan made 87 appearances for the Turkey national team, netting four times. Three of those goals were a hat-trick against Macedonia during the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier. He was one of the best players for his country in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where the team reached an unprecedented third place in the tournament. Özalan also featured for Turkey in Euro 1996, Euro 2000 and the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup. A very memorable moment in Özalan's career in complete contrast to his general fame was during Euro 1996 in the game between Croatia and Turkey. In a counterattack, he allowed Croatian Goran Vlaović to dribble the ball half the field without fouling him to stop the attack. In consequence, Vlaović scored the sole goal of the game and Turkey lost. Özalan was awarded with a fair-play award due to his action. On 24 June 2000, he was sent off during the first half of the Euro 2000 quarter-final against Portugal, which his country lost 2–0. His final match was against Switzerland in the 2006 FIFA World Cup second leg play-off tie in Istanbul, conceding a second-minute penalty by handball, converted by Alexander Frei which resulted in Turkey's elimination despite a 4–2 victory. Özalan was involved in a brawl at the end of the game and was awarded a six-match ban by FIFA.

Club

International

International goals

Scores and results list Turkey's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Özalan goal.

Beşiktaş

Süper Lig: 1994–95 Turkish Cup: 1994, 1998 Turkish Super Cup: 1998 Aston Villa

UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2001[A] Urawa Red Diamonds

Emperor's Cup: 2005 Turkey

FIFA World Cup third place: 2002 FIFA Confederations Cup third place: 2003 Individual

FIFA World Cup All Star Team: 2002 J1 League Defender of the Year: 2004 Order

Turkish State Medal of Distinguished Service