Emre Belözoğlu

Full name: Emre Belözoğlu

Jersey No.: 5

Team: Turkey

Position: Midfield

Detailed position: Left midfielder, Attacking midfielder, Central midfielder

Date of birth: 07.09.1980

Height: 171 cm

Weight: 68 kg

Club: Newcastle

Profile:

Technically gifted with an accurate left foot, Emre Belözoğlu has been a favourite of Turkey coach Fatih Terim since the two worked together successfully at Galatasaray AS in the late 1990s. Emre wore the captain's armband in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying, during which he passed the milestone of 50 international caps.

Huge early promise at Galatasaray; won three successive Turkish league titles as teenager.

Member of Galatasaray's historic treble-winning side in 1999/00 but missed both Turkish Cup final (5-3 v Antalyaspor) and UEFA Cup final (0-0; won on penalties v Arsenal FC) – the latter through suspension after red card against Leeds United AFC in semi-final.

Missed UEFA EURO 2000™ but prominent at 2002 FIFA World Cup (six starts; one goal) despite uneventful debut season at FC Internazionale Milano.

Came good at Inter in 2002/03 – runner-up in Serie A and semi-finalist in UEFA Champions League; scored memorable solo goal for Turkey v Italy in friendly (1-1).

Joined Newcastle United FC in 2005 – three injury-hampered seasons at St James' Park.

Banned for six games (later reduced to four) for part in post-match brawl after 2006 World Cup qualifying play-off against Switzerland.