The exiled fate of Türkiye's most famous player

Hakan Sukur is Türkiye's "most respected" athlete, his talent on the pitch recognized by his contributions to Galatasaray and the national team.But now if Hakan Sukur were to return to his country, he could face the death penalty or life in prison. That is why the former striker lives in exile in the US and works in a bakery.

Hakan Sukur lives in California, in the wealthy area of ​​Palo Alto in Silicon Valley, a suburb of San Francisco.He runs a bakery called Tuts, which sells foods like Turkish sausages and eggs and Greek-style cakes.The restaurant received a review on the food website: "This is the best place in the area to have a good meal with friends.The staff were very kind and friendly".

Back in the 1990s, the brilliant striker became an idol of Istanbul.Children playing around the local markets all wear T-shirts.Galatasarywith his famous number 9.Hakan Sukur scored 295 goals in his career, playing in the Premier League with Blackburn, in Serie A with Torino.The record of 51 goals for the Turkish national team remains unbroken.

When he retired from his career in 2008, Hakan Sukur turned to politics.In 2011, he was elected to the Istanbul Parliament as part of the Justice Development Party.The former striker's political career has not been smooth. In 2016, Hakan Sukur was accused of insulting President Erdogan, although he claimed he had no such intention.

In July of the same year, a coup failed,More than 300 people died, 120,000 people lost their jobs and 50,000 people were arrested.An arrest warrant was issued for Hakan Sukur for "armed terrorism". However, nThe 1971-born star escaped to the US in time.

InCaliforniaHe lives in a three million pound house, has three luxury cars and runs the Tuts bakery.Hakan Sukur is reportedly planning to expand Tuts into a chain of stores in the San Francisco area.