From Newly Promoted to Title Contenders: The Incredible Rise of Amedspor
Just months after earning promotion to Turkey's top flight, the club from Diyarbakır has emerged as one of the biggest surprises in European football.
Six months ago, Amedspor was celebrating the biggest achievement in its history: promotion to Turkey's top division. Now, the club from Diyarbakır is doing something few could have imagined, challenging powerhouse Galatasaray for the Süper Lig title.
After ten matchdays, the newly promoted side sits second with 23 points, having recorded seven wins, two draws and just one defeat. Amedspor trails Galatasaray by only two points and has remarkably scored more goals than the league leaders.
But this fairytale did not begin with the opening whistle of the new season. To understand how Amedspor became a genuine threat to Turkey's biggest clubs, you have to look at its remarkable journey through the lower divisions.
From the Lower Divisions to the Süper Lig in Record Time
Founded in 1972 and competing under its current name since 2014, Amedspor represents Diyarbakır, a city in southeastern Turkey with a strong Kurdish cultural identity. For decades, the club remained far from the spotlight of Turkish football, until a remarkable run of promotions changed everything.
Amedspor won the third-division title in 2023/24 to reach Turkey's second tier. After finishing ninth in its first season, the club took another major step forward in 2025/26, securing second place with 74 points and earning promotion to the Süper Lig for the first time.
Promotion was confirmed on May 2, 2026, following a dramatic 3-3 draw against Iğdır FK. Thousands of supporters poured into the streets of Diyarbakır to celebrate a historic achievement. After 16 years without a team in Turkey's top flight, the city finally had a club competing among the country's elite again.
What's Behind Amedspor's Remarkable Success?
Much of the credit belongs to head coach Besnik Hasi, who took charge ahead of the season and helped build a squad capable of competing at the highest level. One of his most important additions was Nigerian striker Gift Orban, who arrived on loan from Hoffenheim and has already scored nine goals in ten matches, putting him level with Victor Osimhen at the top of the scoring charts.
Orban has plenty of support. Dia Saba, Furkan Soyalp and goalkeeper Alban Lafont have all played important roles in a team that has scored 25 goals and conceded just 11. Amedspor's attacking production even exceeds Galatasaray's 23 goals.
But perhaps the most impressive statistic is its home record. Amedspor has won all six of its home matches, scoring 19 goals and conceding only four. Those victories include a dramatic 2-1 win over Trabzonspor, a 3-2 triumph against Beşiktaş and an emphatic 5-0 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir.
Their latest result was another statement: a 5-1 victory against Eyüpspor, extending Amedspor's unbeaten run to seven consecutive matches.
The Ultimate Test Awaits Against Galatasaray
The next chapter could be the biggest yet. On Saturday, November 7, Amedspor travels to Istanbul to face Galatasaray at Rams Park in a showdown between the top two teams in the standings.
A victory would send Amedspor to the top of the Süper Lig with 26 points, moving ahead of Galatasaray's current total of 25. The matchup will also feature a fascinating individual battle between Gift Orban and Victor Osimhen, who are tied as the league's leading scorers with nine goals apiece.
There is, however, one major concern for the visitors. Amedspor has won just one of its four away matches, a sharp contrast to its perfect home record. Galatasaray, accustomed to fighting for championships, will be determined to make the most of its experience and home advantage.
The match could reveal just how far this remarkable underdog story can go. Galatasaray vs Amedspor takes place Saturday, November 7, and you can watch it LIVE on beIN SPORTS.
Three Key Facts Behind Amedspor's Incredible Rise
- Two promotions in three seasons: Amedspor climbed from Turkey's third division in 2023/24 to the Süper Lig in 2026/27.
- A stunning start: Second place with 23 points, 25 goals scored and six wins from six home matches.
- The biggest test yet: Amedspor visits league leader Galatasaray on November 7, LIVE on beIN SPORTS.
