Kerem Aktürkoğlu, whose full name is Muhammed Kerem Aktürkoğlu, was born on October 21, 1998, in Kocaeli, Turkey. On August 17, 1999, when he was just nine months old, he was rescued from under the rubble after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake centered in Gölcük. His football career began in 2011 in Kocaeli with the youth team of Gölcükspor. In 2013, he transferred to Hisareynspor. He later played for Başakşehir, Bodrumspor, Karacabey Belediye Spor, Erzincanspor, and Galatasaray. After celebrating a goal against Antalyaspor with a "Potter" gesture, he earned the nickname "Kerem Potter" due to his resemblance to Harry Potter. Since September 3, 2024, he has been playing for Benfica.
Football Career
RAMS Başakşehir Football Club
He transferred to Başakşehir on September 5, 2014. This was his first step into professional football. However, things did not go as Kerem had hoped at Başakşehir. Reflecting on his time there in an interview with Vole, Aktürkoğlu expressed his struggles with the following words:
“At that time, whenever I went out to train, I would pray, ‘God, please don't let the ball come to my feet today. If it does, I will mess up...’”
“I feel like I lost four years of my life. I even considered quitting football.”
Kerem's time at Başakşehir, which began in 2014, came to an end in 2018.
BB Bodrumspor
In the 2016–2017 season, Kerem Aktürkoğlu was loaned from Başakşehir to Bodrumspor. He scored his first goal in the Spor Toto 3rd League while playing for Bodrumspor against TM Kırıkkalespor. Aktürkoğlu spent 1,383 minutes on the field and received 2 yellow cards. He scored 4 goals in 28 matches and experienced his first championship with Bodrumspor, winning the 2016–2017 TFF 3rd League title.
Karacabey Belediye Spor
In the 2018–2019 season, Kerem Aktürkoğlu joined Karacabey Belediye Spor. He contributed with 3 goals and 2 assists in 35 matches and received 3 yellow cards. He played a total of 2,530 minutes during the season.
Anagold 24Erzincanspor
Kerem Aktürkoğlu transferred to Erzincanspor following an invitation from his former youth coach at Başakşehir, Mustafa Sarıgül. Continuing his career with Erzincanspor in the 2019–2020 season, Kerem’s outstanding performances began paving the way for his move to Galatasaray. He recorded his first career hat-trick while playing for Erzincanspor against Artvin Hopaspor. He appeared in 34 matches, scoring 20 goals and providing 1 assist, with a total of 2,845 minutes on the pitch.
Galatasaray
In 2020, upon the request of Fatih Terim, Kerem Aktürkoğlu transferred to Galatasaray. He made his Süper Lig debut on November 23, 2020, in the Galatasaray–Kayserispor match, coming on as a substitute for Sofiane Feghouli. He scored his first Süper Lig goal during the Galatasaray–Hatayspor match in the 90+3rd minute with an assist from Ömer Bayram. He made his first appearances in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League with Galatasaray. Aktürkoğlu scored his first hat-trick for the club on November 12, 2022, against Başakşehir. Wearing the number 7 jersey and serving as team captain, he contributed 46 goals and 42 assists in 179 matches. He received 16 yellow cards and 1 red card and played a total of 11,830 minutes. Aktürkoğlu won the Süper Lig title with Galatasaray in the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 seasons, as well as the Turkish Super Cup in the 2023–2024 season. In 2022, he was awarded “Galatasaray Athlete of the Year.”
SL Benfica
After starting the season strongly at Galatasaray with goals and assists, Aktürkoğlu transferred to Benfica on September 3, 2024, for €12 million. He made his debut for Benfica on September 14, 2024, against CD Santa Clara, scoring his first goal in the 27th minute with an assist from Orkun Kökçü. He left the pitch in the 73rd minute to a standing ovation from the fans. He recorded his first hat-trick for Benfica on October 27, 2024, in a match against Rio Ave, scoring in the 12th, 16th, and 47th minutes. In November 2024, he was named both “Player of the Month” and “Forward of the Month.” On January 12, 2025, Aktürkoğlu helped Benfica win the Portuguese League Cup by defeating Sporting 7–6. He currently continues his career at SL Benfica, wearing the number 17 jersey.
National Team Career
Kerem Aktürkoğlu represented Turkey at the U18 and U19 levels, earning two caps in each category. He scored his first international goal in a U19 match against Greece. In 2021, Şenol Güneş called him up to the Turkish senior national team. Aktürkoğlu made his senior debut on May 27, 2021, coming on in the 46th minute to replace Cengiz Ünder. On September 9, 2024, he scored his first hat-trick for the national team in a match against Iceland. Aktürkoğlu wears the number 7 jersey for the national team.
Achievements
Bodrum Belediyesi Bodrumspor
- TFF 3rd League Champion: 2016–2017
24Erzincanspor
- Promotion from the Third League: 2019–2020
Galatasaray
- UEFA Europa League Participant: 2021–2022, 2023–2024
- UEFA Champions League Participant: 2023–2024
- Turkish Super Cup Winner: 2023–2024
- Süper Lig Champion: 2022–2023, 2023–2024
- Top Assist Provider (Assist King): 2022–2023
SL Benfica
- Portuguese League Cup Winner: 2024–2025
National Team
- Transfermarkt Player of the Season: 2022
- UEFA European Championship Participant: 2021, 2024
