Tugay Kerimoglu Bio Send To Friend  

Tugay arrived at Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2001 when former manager Graeme Souness signed the talented midfielder from Rangers for a fee of £1.3million.

The vastly-experienced combative playmaker agreed a new one-year deal in May 2008 that will see him with the club until June 2009.

With over 200 Rovers appearances to his credit Tugay is an important member of the squad and despite his advancing years remains an influential part of the team's midfield engine room.

Elegant on the ball and capable of threatening goal with a sweetly-hit long-range drive, Tugay is also unafraid of tracking-back and getting stuck in when the game requires a more physical approach.

Following his arrival at Rovers, which was complicated by the Department of Employment's initial refusal to grant him a work permit, Tugay was eager to impress in the and proved to be an exciting addition to the ranks.

He made his Premiership debut in the 1-0 win at Southampton, and netted his first goal in the 7-1 thrashing of West Ham United at Ewood Park; one of his long-range thunderbolts.

Tugay played well at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan - even after cutting his trademark flowing locks - as Turkey made it to the semi-finals before losing to eventual champions Brazil.

He continued to be a vital player in the heart of the Rovers midfield, although his attacking instincts have not been so prevalent with the passing years.

The Turkish star was named the club's Player of the Year for 2003/04, during which he passed 125 appearances.

Tugay retired from international football in November 2003 after Turkey's failure to make it to Euro 2004. His finally cap came in a friendly against Brazil in June 2007, he wore shirt number 94 to mark his 94th international appearance.