Had a heart attack

Ex-Turkey team player dies at the age of 44

Ersen Martin was only 44 years old.(Bild: X/Kocaelispor)

Turkish and German soccer is mourning the loss of Ersen Martin. The Bavarian-born player, who played for the Turkish national team three times during his career, died at the age of just 44 as a result of a heart attack.

Martin had played for 1. FC Nürnberg in his youth, where he made the leap to the professional ranks in 1999. One year later, the center forward moved to the Turkish Süper Lig, where he was under contract with Besiktas and Trabzonspor, among others.

Three national team appearances
Between 2005 and 2006, the goalscorer also made three appearances for the Turkish national team, and after his career ended in 2013, he appeared on TV as a pundit. 

In spring 2022, Martin suffered a heart attack and a ruptured aorta and has been struggling with the consequences ever since. His condition deteriorated drastically in recent weeks and Martin died on March 19 at the age of 45.