Veteran Trabzonspor footballer dies of heart attack

TRABZON

DHA Photo

Turkish coach and former Trabzonspor footballer Kadir Özcan died of a heart attack on Oct. 22, leaving mourning Trabzonspor and Turkish football fans heavy-hearted at his loss.

Özcan was at the age of 61. He died after returning home from team training at 1461 Trabzon. His relatives hospitalized the veteran footballer, where he was taken to intensive care unit at the Haçkalı Baba State Hospital; however, doctors were not able to save his life after hours of treatment.
Deputy coach Ayhan Alemderoğlu said Özcan had no chronical diseases.

Trabzonspor president, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, and coach, Mustafa Akçay, immediately arrived in the hospital upon hearing the bad news.

Trabzonspor and Fenerbahçe issued a press release yesterday saying Turkish football lost a legendary footballer.

Özcan was part of a cadre of time which moved Trabzonspor into the Turkish Premier League in the 70’s. Trabzonspor then became the league champion, marking a first in Turkish football as an “Anatolian team,” beating the big trio Istanbul teams, Beşiktaş, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe.

Özcan then was transferred to Zonguldakspor and played for the Galatasaray for only a season before retiring and starting his own coaching career.