Ahmet Calik, a former Turkey international defender, died at the age of 27.
Calik was died in a vehicle accident on Tuesday while playing for Turkish Super Lig team Konyaspor after three years with Galatasaray.
“We are in deep sorrow to have lost our player Ahmet Calik who earned our fans’ and city’s love since the first day he arrived at Konyaspor,” the club posted on Twitter.
An investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Calik, who began his career with local club Genclerbirligi, played for Galatasaray for three years and made more than 50 games before joining Konyaspor in 2020, where he made 51 appearances.
After rising through the junior teams, the centre-back earned eight senior caps for Turkey between 2015 and 2017.
The Turkish FA said in a statement: “It is with deep sadness that we learned that Ahmet Calik, football player of Ittifak Holding Konyaspor, who also played in our national team, passed away as a result of a traffic accident. May Allah have mercy on the deceased.
“Our condolences to his family, relatives, Ittifak Holding Konyaspor Club and the Turkish football community.”
Galatasaray and the Turkish national team also paid tribute to Calik on social media.
Eski futbolcumuz Ahmet Çalık'ın vefat haberini derin bir üzüntüyle öğrenmiş bulunmaktayız. Merhuma Allah'tan rahmet, kederli ailesine, sevdiklerine ve Türk spor camiasına başsağlığı diliyoruz. pic.twitter.com/HscuK743Ft
— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) January 11, 2022