Okan Buruk also known as Okan (born 19 October 1973 in Istanbul) is a Turkish football player who is currently playing for İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor. Okan is the younger brother of Fuat Buruk.

[edit] Career

He played for Turkish giants Galatasaray and helped them win a UEFA Cup, Super Cup and many Turkish titles during his 10 year stay (1991-2001). In 1992, his leg was broken in a game against Trabzonspor, and he had a year long hiatus. During his tenure at Galatasaray, he is best known for his incredible pace, highly accurate passing, and long range shots on goal.

This talent was not missed by top European clubs and in 2001, he was signed by Italian Giants Internazionale and stayed on for 3 years. He was then signed by Beşiktaş and returned to Turkey. At the start of the 2006/2007 season Okan signed for Galatasaray, rejoining his old club. Okan has been having trouble to play first-team game since he is back to Turkey from Italy. Okan scored his first goal after returning to Galatasaray against Liverpool in Champions League first round closing match with a spectacular long range shot. That goal secured Galatasaray's only victory in their Champions League season but, not quite enough to keep them alive in European football for 2007 winter.

He was signed by İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor for 2 years on July 3, 2008 after his contract expired with Galatasaray.

[edit] Personal life

He got married to former Miss Turkey and top model Nihan Akkuş on July 3 2007.

[edit] Honours

• Galatasaray
  • UEFA Super Cup: 1 (2000)
  • UEFA Cup: 1 (2000)
  • Turkish League: 7 (1992-93, 1993-94, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2007-08)

• Turkey
  • UEFA Euro 2000 Quarter-Finalist
  • FIFA World Cup 2002: 3rd place

[edit] Career statistics

As of 28 July 2009.

[edit] External links

• Okan Buruk at National-Football-Teams.com
• Profile at TFF.org
• Profile at transfermarkt.de

v • d • e Turkey squad – UEFA Euro 2000 1 Rüştü • 2 Tayfur • 3 Ogün • 4 Fatih • 5 Alpay • 6 Arif • 7 Okan • 8 Tugay • 9 Hakan Şükür • 10 Sergen • 11 Tayfun • 12 Ömer • 13 Osman • 14 Suat • 15 İzzet • 16 Ergün • 17 Oktay • 18 Ayhan • 19 Abdullah • 20 Hakan Ünsal • 21 Fevzi • 22 Ümit Davala • Coach: Denizli

v • d • e Turkey squad – 2002 FIFA World Cup Third Place 1 Rüştü • 2 Emre Aşık • 3 Bülent • 4 Fatih Akyel • 5 Alpay • 6 Arif • 7 Okan • 8 Tugay • 9 Hakan Şükür • 10 Yıldıray • 11 Hasan Şaş • 12 Ömer • 13 İzzet • 14 Tayfur • 15 Nihat • 16 Ümit Özat • 17 İlhan Mansız • 18 Ergün • 19 Abdullah • 20 Hakan Ünsal • 21 Emre • 22 Ümit Davala • 23 Zafer • Coach: Güneş