Alim ÃÂztürk (born 17 November 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for IÃÂdñr. Born in the Netherlands, he represented Turkey at youth level.
ÃÂztürk has previously played for Dutch club SC Cambuur, Trabzonspor, 1461 Trabzon, Scottish club Heart of Midlothian, Boluspor and Sunderland.
Born in Alkmaar, Netherlands, to his Turkish parents, ÃÂztürk grew up with three siblings and started playing football when he was nine years old and joining AFC '34 youth team. His parents kept distance from ÃÂztürk playing football. He then joined FC Groningen. In 2011, ÃÂztürk joined Eerste Divisie side SC Cambuur, where he quickly went through to the first team and made his Eerste Divisie debut for Cambuur on 22 January 2012.
He moved to Turkish club Trabzonspor in 2013 for â¬125,000 on a three-year contract, depending on the ongoing payment, but did not break into their first team.
After struggling to break into the first team, ÃÂztürk was sent to join 1461 Trabzon on loan for the 2013âÂÂ14 season. After a half season with the club, ÃÂztürk left Trabzonspor by mutual consent. ÃÂztürk later described playing in Turkey as difficult, citing more long balls, more fights and unsatisfied playing in the second division.
ÃÂztürk moved to then Scottish Championship side Hearts in June 2014 on a three-year contract. ÃÂztürk made his Hearts debut, playing in the centre-back along with Danny Wilson, in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Rangers in the opening game of the season. On 26 October 2014, ÃÂztürk scored his first goal for the club, a 40-yard screamer against Edinburgh rivals Hibernian. He also scored with long-range efforts against Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath, and he scored a free-kick against Queen of the South. Alim ÃÂztürk was the main free-kick taker at Hearts. With 33 appearances and scoring four times in his first season at Hearts, ÃÂztürk was among six players to be named 2014âÂÂ15 Championship's Team of the Year. ÃÂztürk was also won Goal of the Season and Memorable Moment at the club's award ceremony.
Following the club's promotion to the Scottish Premiership and Wilson's departure, it was announced that ÃÂztürk was appointed as the new captain at Hearts. He had previously spoke about becoming the club's captain ahead of the 2015âÂÂ16 season. ÃÂztürk's first game as Hearts' captain came in the opening game of the season, in a 4âÂÂ3 win over St Johnstone. On 21 September 2016, the captaincy was transferred to Perry Kitchen.
ÃÂztürk returned to Turkish football in January 2017, signing an 18-month contract with TFF First League club Boluspor.
On 21 June 2018, EFL League One club Sunderland announced the signing of ÃÂztürk on a free transfer with a two-year contract.
Ozturk struggled to cement his place in the team and it was announced on 17 June 2020 that he would be leaving Sunderland, bringing to an end his two years at the club.
On 26 August 2020, ÃÂztürk joined TFF First League club ÃÂmraniyespor.
ÃÂztürk speaks Dutch, Turkish and English. ÃÂztürk was so popular with Hearts supporters that they named a beer after him.