Sad As Popular Footballer Dies In Horror Car Crash (Photos)

Sad As Popular Footballer Dies In Horror Car Crash (Photos)

A Turkish international footballer has been killed at the age of 27 in a motorway crash in the capital city of Ankara.

Ahmet Calik, who played eight times for the Turkish national team, was alone in his vehicle when the horror crash took place.

He is reported to have been driving on the Ankara-Nigde motorway when he lost control of his car before it overturned into a roadside ditch at around 9am local time.

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Reports from Turkey have detailed that Calik was the only passenger in the vehicle on Tuesday morning and he was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

Calik was on a day off from training and was heading to Ankara to finalise plans for his wedding, which he was due to hold in February, according to Spor Arena.

An investigation is underway to determine what happened in the moments prior to the crash.

Calik, who most recently represented Turkish Super Lig team Konyaspor, is due to be buried in Elmadag Cemetery after the funeral on Tuesday, Turkish outlet FotoMac report.

In a tribute, they wrote: ‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of our football player Ahmet Calik, who has won the love of our fans and our city since the first day he came to Konyaspor.

‘Condolences to all of us, especially to the family of our football player Ahmet Calik.’

According to Spor Arena, Konyaspor have made a request to the Turkish Football Federation to postpone their match against Istanbul Basaksehir, which is due to be held on Saturday, January 15.

Calik lost control of his car before it careered off road and into a ditch next to the motorway

Eyewitnesses immediately called emergency services but Calik was declared dead at scene

Former Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski, who was a team-mate of Calik’s at Galatasaray, tweeted: ‘I was so sad to hear the news, I’m in shock. Death does not suit you at all, brother! May God rest your soul in heaven.’

Calik was born in the Yenimahalle district of Ankara in 1994 before spending his youth career playing for local team Genclerbirligi.

The defender soon gained national recognition when he represented Turkey at the Under-20 FIFA World Cup in 2013.

In 2015, while still playing for Genclerbirligi, he progressed through to the senior Turkish national team.

He was selected to play in friendlies against Qatar and then Greece, making his senior international debut in the 0-0 draw with Greece,

While he was selected in the squad to compete at Euro 2016, he did not make an appearance during the tournament.

Calik (right, pictured playing for Konyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig) won eight caps for Turkey

The 27-year-old was a popular player in Turkey and Konyaspor paid tribute to him online

Calik joined Turkish giants Galatasaray in 2017 and in the same year made his final appearance for Turkey, scoring in a friendly against Moldova.

Writing their own tribute, Galatasaray noted: ‘It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of our former football player Ahmet Calik.

‘May God have mercy on the deceased, we express our condolences to his grieving family, loved ones and Turkish sports community.’

In addition, Turkey’s youth and sports minister Mehmet Kasapoglu tweeted: ‘I have learned with deep regret that our national football player Ahmet Calik, who plays for Konyaspor, passed away in a traffic accident on the Ankara-Nigde highway.

‘May God have mercy on the late Ahmet Calik, who also served in our national team.

‘My condolences to his family, Konyaspor and the entire football community.’