Aziz Yıldırım (2 November 1952, Ergani, Diyarbakır) is a Turkish businessman, civil engineer, shipowner and sports administrator. He served as president of Fenerbahçe Sports Club from 1998 to 2018, making him the longest-serving president in the club’s history. He is also the president with the most trophies won during his tenure, as the club secured a total of 92 trophies under his leadership. In 2024, he ran again for the presidency at the ordinary general assembly.
Aziz Yıldırım was born in 1952 in the Ergani district of Diyarbakır. His father, Şefik Yıldırım, was a primary school teacher and his mother was Sermet Yalçın. Due to his family’s relocations, he moved to Alanya and later to Düzce. He completed his primary and secondary education in Düzce, where he also played amateur football for Hamidiyespor Club.
Yıldırım graduated as a civil engineer from the Ankara State Academy of Engineering and Architecture (now Gazi University). In 1979, he founded Maktaş Engineering, and in 1980 he established DEARSAN, a military shipyard. DEARSAN signed contracts for several defense industry projects and constructed naval vessels for countries including Turkmenistan, Qatar, Nigeria and Tanzania.
Yıldırım is also a shareholder in numerous companies such as İmsak Defense, Savtem Defense, As Construction, Asbeton Construction, Aly Construction, Gülhan Maritime, AG Maritime and Şahdem Integrated Dairy Farming, as well as in maritime and chemical firms operating abroad.
In 2007, he built the “Sermet Yalçın Anatolian High School” in his birthplace Ergani in his mother’s name. In 2024, he announced that he had signed a shipbuilding agreement with the Turkish Armed Forces.
Yıldırım was elected president of Fenerbahçe Sports Club on 15 February 1998, narrowly defeating Vefa Küçük by a single vote. His first choice for head coach was Joachim Löw. During his early presidency, he invested in the club’s youth infrastructure. In 2000, he launched the Fenerium retail chain to increase the club’s own-source revenues.
During this period, Fenerbahçe TV and Fenerbahçe Magazine were established. In the 2006–07 season, the club won the Süper Lig title, and in the 2007–08 season, it reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. In 2008, Forbes magazine included Fenerbahçe among the “World’s 30 Most Valuable Clubs” and featured Yıldırım on its cover under the headline “Aziz’s Miracle.” In the 2010–11 season, Fenerbahçe achieved historic success by winning league championships in men’s and women’s football, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s volleyball.
In the “match-fixing investigation” that began on 3 July 2011, Yıldırım was arrested and detained for approximately one year in Metris Prison. He was sentenced to six years and three months in prison and a fine of 1.3 million Turkish lira. However, following a retrial in 2015, he was acquitted of all charges.
Yıldırım was re-elected president at the congress held on 31 May 2015. However, in the 2018 elections, he lost the presidency to Ali Koç. During the election campaign, he had offered Ali Koç the proposal: “Let Fenerbahçe win, you manage football.” This vote marked the end of his 20-year presidency.
In 2024, Yıldırım announced his candidacy for the presidency at the Fenerbahçe Ordinary Elective General Assembly. He announced that he had met with José Mourinho as a potential head coach and reached an agreement. However, in the election he received 10,483 votes, finishing behind Ali Koç (16,464 votes).
Aziz Yıldırım is known in public life for his loyalty to his family and his birthplace. He is particularly recognized for his support of education and infrastructure investments. Beyond sports, he is among Turkey’s leading business figures in the defense industry and shipbuilding sectors.
Life and Business Career
Presidency of Fenerbahçe Sports Club
Early Years (1998–2004)
Rise and Achievements (2004–2011)
Match-Fixing Investigation and Legal Proceedings (2011–2015)
Loss of Presidency (2015–2018)
Renewed Candidacy and the 2024 Elections
Personal Life