Bülent Esel

Bülent Esel was a legendary Turkish football player and coach born in Istanbul on July 23, 1927. Known for his extraordinary talents on the field and his hard shots, Esel has made a name for himself in both domestic and foreign teams for many years. This name, one of Beşiktaş's unforgettable strikers, began to be known as "Kasatura Bülent" shortly after he started his football career.

Esel, who started his football career in Kırıkkalespor in the early 1940s, then played for MKE Ankaragücü. This talented player, who was transferred to Beşiktaş in 1948, contributed to his team's Istanbul championship in the same year, scoring 20 goals. After moving to Adalet in 1950, Esel returned to Beşiktaş in 1954 and wore the black and white jersey once again before starting his Italian adventure.

Esel, who was transferred to SPAL, one of Italy's Serie A teams, in 1951, attracted attention with both his successful performance and hard shots for three seasons. He scored 27 goals in 77 matches in total and was the top scorer of his team twice. The legendary striker returned to Türkiye in 1954 and finally left football in Altınordu.

Esel, an unforgettable football player with his strong physique and the goals he scored from distance, completed his last stop on the field as a name that is always remembered with respect.

Esel, who started working as a coach after ending his football career, later spent his retirement days in Izmir. He passed away in August 2004 while being treated in a hospital in Izmir. The legendary football player, who was sent off with Beşiktaş and Altınordu flags at his funeral, was buried in Limontepe Cemetery.