He was the founder and the first member of the first football team in Turkey at the age of 19. He engraved his name to history by saying "Our goal is to play in an organized way like English teams, to signify a certain color and a name and beat the non-Turkish teams" in those days. He also played as a right-back at the first game of our club and later became the first Turkish football referee in the game between Moda and Kadıköy.

He was a tennis player, swimmer, hunter and sailor in the beginning of his 20's.

At 24, he was the chairman of İstanbul League Committee.

At 25, he founded Galatasaray Museum in Kalamış.

At 36, he was elected as the chairman of Turkey Sports Associations Alliance.

At 37, he was again the first bearer of a prestigious title: He was named the first coach of Turkish National Football Team.

At 38, he was the head of 1924 Olympic Team of Turkey in Paris.

At 40, he was the chairman of Turkish Olympic Committee.

At 45, Ali Sami Bey chose the  last name Yen ("beat" in English) to become Ali Sami Yen.

His name was written at the doorstep of our legendary stadium in Mecidiyeköy.

He is a legend whose name is written at the doorstep of our new stadium in Seyrantepe.

Ali Sami Yen... A legend whose name is echoed in chants of every Galatasaray fan from every age and every generation despite many years passing by....

A legend whose legacy radiates in every challenge, every competition and every game Galatasaray is in.

The name that first comes to mind when Galatasaray's name is uttered: Ali Sami Yen!

We commemorate our founder, our first member and our first chairman Ali Sami Yen with deep affection, great respect and endless gratitude at the 68th anniversary of his passing.

Galatasaray Spor Kulübü