Can Bartu

Who is Can Bartu?

Can Bartu is a Turkish former basketball and football player. He is currently a sports journalist.

He started to play basketball for Fenerbahçe and was a six-time international representative with the national basketball team. He was invited by the football coach Fikret Arıcan to play football beside basketball. On 25 January 1957, Bartu played football for his club against Beyoğluspor. He scored two goals and assisted for two more. He helped so his team won 4–0. Then, that evening, Bartu played basketball for Fenerbahçe, scoring 10 points. He helped his club win 44–43 shooting a goal three seconds before the finish. Bartu switched then over to football in his club. He played 26 times for the national football team.

In 1961, Bartu transferred to ACF Fiorentina in Italy. Later, he played for Venezia A.C. in 1962 and for S.S. Lazio in 1964. He is the first ever Turkish footballer, who played a final game in Europe with Fiorentina against Atlético Madrid in 1962. He was nicknamed "Signor" by the Italians due to his technique and gentile on the playground and because of his chic outfits worn off field.

After successful seasons in Italy, Bartu returned to Turkey in 1967 to play in his former club Fenerbahçe for more three years. Bartu played 326 games with Fenerbahçe and scored 162 goals. He became four-time league champion in 1959, 1961, 1968 and 1970 with Fenerbahçe.