Erdem, Arif

Real Sociedad & Turkey

Birthdate: January 2, 1972
Birthplace: Istanbul, Turkey
Height: 1.82 mts
Weight: 72 kgs
Position: Midfielder, Forward
International: 38 caps, 3 goals (as of August 29, 2000)
World Cups: 0
Previous Clubs: Zeytinburnuspor, Galatasaray
Transfer Fee: $3.70 Millions of Dollars
Arif has built up a productive partnership with Hakan Sükür at club and international level. He started his career as a right-winger, but now usually operates as a second striker, though he can play on either flank, and has the crossing ability to match. He showed his excellent finishing ability in the qualifying-phase victory over Northern Ireland, when he hit a hat-trick in the space of four minutes. Arif made his international debut in 1994 against FYR Macedonia and he appeared three times at Euro 96. In all, he has won five league titles and the UEFA Cup with Galatasaray SK.