Turkish Muslim Player Ahmed Calik Dies In Accident, Podolski Shares His Grief: Brother, May God Rest Your Soul In Heaven

Ahmet Calik's funeral (Twitter @Konyaspor)

JAKARTA - Turkish footballer Ahmet Calik died in a traffic accident in the capital Ankara, Tuesday morning local time. The 27-year-old, who has played eight times for the Turkey national team, was reportedly driving on the Ankara-Nigde highway when he lost control of his car.

The Daily Mail reported, his vehicle overturned into a roadside ditch at around 9 am local time.

Meanwhile, reports from Turkey detail that Calik was the only passenger in the vehicle and he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

According to Spor Arena, Calik is on vacation from club training and is on his way to Ankara to finalize plans for his wedding, which will be held next February.

Currently, the local police are conducting an investigation to determine what really happened before the accident.

Calik, who is listed as a player for the Turkish Super Lig team Konyaspor, was buried in Elmadag Cemetery according to Islamic law, his religion, on Tuesday.

Ahmet Calik's funeral (Twitter @konyaspor)

In a tribute, the club wrote: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our footballer Ahmet Calik, who has won the love of our fans and our city since the first day he came to Konyaspor.

"Condolences to all of us, especially to the family of our footballer Ahmet Calik."

Seni Unutmayacağız... #AhmetÇalık pic.twitter.com/pXVZql0qYH

— İttifak Holding Konyaspor (@konyaspor) January 11, 2022

According to Spor Arena, Konyaspor have submitted a request to the Turkish Football Federation to postpone their match against Istanbul Basaksehir, which will be held on Saturday, January 15.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal and Germany striker Lukas Podolski expressed his sadness in a post on Twitter. Calik and Podolski have both played at Galatasaray although not at the same time.

"I was so sad to hear the news, I was shocked. Death did not suit you at all, my brother! May God rest your soul in heaven," Podolski tweeted.

Haberi duyunca çok üzüldüm, şoktayım. Ölüm sana hiç yakışmadı kardeşim! Mekanın cennet olsun. 🙏😪 pic.twitter.com/MDF4isc8um

— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) January 11, 2022

Calik was born in the Yenimahalle district of Ankara in 1994 before spending his youth career playing for local team Genclerbirligi.

The player who plays as a center back immediately gained national recognition when he represented Turkey at the Under-20 World Cup in 2013.