Former Galatasaray and Turkey defender Ahmet Calik has died in a car crash, aged 27, his club Konyaspor confirmed on Tuesday.
Konyaspor'umuza geldiği ilk günden bu yana taraftarımızın ve şehrimizin sevgisini kazanan futbolcumuz Ahmet Çalık'ı kaybetmenin derin üzüntüsünü yaşıyoruz. Başta futbolcumuz Ahmet Çalık'ın ailesi olmak üzere hepimizin başı sağ olsun. pic.twitter.com/pmzD3SZhV6
— İttifak Holding Konyaspor (@konyaspor) January 11, 2022
"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.
According to Turkish website Spor Arena the crash happened on a motorway near the capital Ankara where Calik was heading during a day off to finalise plans for his wedding.
Calik made more than 50 appearances for Galatasaray during a three-year spell before joining Konyaspor in 2020.
The center back also played eight times for the Turkish senior team between 2015 and 2017 and was part of the Euro 2016 squad, although did not play a match.
In a statement the Turkish FA said: "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."
Galatasaray also issued their own tribute.
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
"It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of our former football player Ahmet Calik," the club said on its website. "We express our condolences to his grieving family, loved ones and Turkish sports community."
Paris Saint-Germain extend their condolences to the family and loved ones of Ahmet Çalık and to @konyaspor. The Club sends their best wishes of support and solidarity. https://t.co/MGEb5slmU6
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 11, 2022
We send our condolences and best wishes to the family and loved ones of Ahmet Çalık
Rest in peace, Ahmet ❤️ https://t.co/j3aEdJfMEz— LOSC (@LOSC_EN) January 11, 2022
Croatian Football Federation would like to express its deepest condolences to @TFF_Org | @MilliTakimlar regarding the tragic death of @konyaspor defender Ahmet Calik, who also faced Croatia back in 2016.
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/sq3gMNivVV— HNS (@HNS_CFF) January 11, 2022
Rest in peace, Ahmet Çalık. Our condolences to his family, friends and everyone at @konyaspor https://t.co/8EifcZ2IsJ
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) January 11, 2022
(Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Christian Radnedge)
