The Players Who Dared to Represent Both Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe
Wearing the jerseys of Istanbul's two fiercest rivals is a decision that rarely goes unnoticed. From Tanju Çolak to Kerem Aktürkoğlu, these are some of the stars who played for both Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe.
In a city where the rivalry between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe has divided generations of supporters, swapping one jersey for the other can become one of the most controversial decisions of a player's career. Club heroes can end up representing their greatest rivals, while goalscorers who once made one set of fans celebrate can return to score against them.
The history of the Intercontinental Derby is full of remarkable examples, from Tanju Çolak, who scored 22 derby goals across both clubs, to Kerem Aktürkoğlu, whose return to Türkiye in 2025 saw him join Fenerbahçe after previously starring for Galatasaray. These are some of the players who dared to cross one of the fiercest divides in world soccer.
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Tanju Çolak: The Goalscorer Who Punished Both Sides of the Rivalry
Few players better illustrate the extraordinary nature of this rivalry than Tanju Çolak. The striker starred for Galatasaray between 1987 and 1991, enjoying his finest season in 1987-88, when he scored 39 Süper Lig goals and won the European Golden Shoe.
But in 1991, he made a move that stunned Turkish soccer: joining Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray's fiercest rival. His goalscoring ability remained intact, and he finished as the league's top scorer again in 1992-93, this time with 27 goals for the Yellow Canaries.
His story becomes even more remarkable when looking at the Intercontinental Derby itself. Çolak scored 22 goals in the rivalry, split between the two clubs: 14 for Galatasaray and eight for Fenerbahçe. He became a key figure on both sides of the divide, finding the net against each of the clubs that defined his remarkable career.
Emre Belözoğlu: From European Champion With Galatasaray to Fenerbahçe Leader
Emre Belözoğlu began his professional career at Galatasaray, where he was part of the team that won the UEFA Cup in 2000.
After spells at Inter Milan and Newcastle United, the Turkish midfielder returned to his homeland in 2008 to join Fenerbahçe.
Belözoğlu went on to enjoy several spells with the yellow-and-navy-blue club, becoming one of its most recognizable players and eventually serving as captain.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu: The Turkish Return That Also Involved Galatasaray
One of the most eye-catching moves in recent years involved Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who played for Galatasaray from 2020 to 2024 before leaving for Benfica in Portugal.
In September 2025, the winger returned to Turkish soccer, but not to his former club. Instead, he joined Fenerbahçe, its fiercest rival, in a deal worth €22.5 million that could rise to €25 million through performance-related bonuses.
However, the negotiation included a particularly intriguing detail. When Benfica announced the agreement, the Portuguese club confirmed that it had informed Galatasaray of the terms because Aktürkoğlu's former team retained a contractual right of first refusal.
That meant Galatasaray still had a contractual role in a deal that would ultimately see its former player join its greatest rival, highlighting just how complicated transfers between these two clubs can become.
Michy Batshuayi: From Fenerbahçe to Galatasaray Without Leaving Istanbul
Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi completed another remarkable move in July 2024, signing for Galatasaray after two seasons with Fenerbahçe.
His career includes another unique distinction: he had previously played for Beşiktaş, becoming the first foreign footballer to represent all three of Istanbul's biggest clubs.
Batshuayi remained at Galatasaray until February 2025, when he joined Eintracht Frankfurt.
Burak Yılmaz, Mehmet Topal, and Caner Erkin: Other Players Who Crossed the Divide
The list also includes Burak Yılmaz, who played for Fenerbahçe between 2008 and 2010 before becoming an important figure at Galatasaray from 2012 to 2016.
Mehmet Topal followed the opposite path. He represented Galatasaray between 2006 and 2010, spent two seasons at Valencia, and returned to Turkey to join Fenerbahçe in 2012, where he remained until 2019.
Another example is Caner Erkin, who spent the 2009-10 season on loan at Galatasaray from CSKA Moscow before subsequently joining Fenerbahçe.
Other notable names include Serdar Aziz and Sergen Yalçın, who also represented both clubs during their careers.
In a rivalry where every meeting carries significance far beyond three points, these players demonstrated that even the fiercest sporting divides can be crossed.
Their careers remain a distinctive part of the history of the Intercontinental Derby.
