Turkish soccer player Baran Alp Vardar, a defender for the Istanbulspor team, has died at the age of 20 following a lengthy battle with cancer.
The club announced the news of his passing on March 15, noting on social media that the promising young player had been undergoing treatment for the disease without disclosing the type of cancer he had.
“We are in great pain and deep sorrow. … We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved football player, Baran Alp Vardar, who had been undergoing cancer treatment for some time,” reads the translated post alongside a photo of the athlete.
“Baran Alp, whom we will always remember for his character, dedication to his teammates, and cheerful demeanor, will live forever in the hearts of our community. His untimely departure has deeply saddened us all.”
A funeral service was held over the weekend in the Istanbul Province district of Beylikdüzü, with the club sharing photos of teammates, family, and friends “bidding farewell” to Vardar.
“We pray to God for mercy upon our late football player Baran Alp Vardar, and offer our deepest condolences and prayers for strength to his beloved family, friends, teammates, and our entire community,” the statement continues.
“May your place be in heaven, Baran Alp. … We will never forget you,” the post concludes.
A product of the Istanbulspor Academy, a professional training camp dedicated to young prospects, Vardar made three appearances in the Turkish Süper Lig during the 2023-24 season.
Established in 1959, the Süper Lig is the highest level football league in the country and is organized by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).
“Your beautiful smile and the memories you left behind will live on forever,” the team said in a separate post along with a video montage of Vardar.
Vardar kicked off his youth and professional soccer journey in 2015 and according to local newspaper outlet “Milliyet,” he played for four different teams over the course of his career.
Other Süper Lig clubs across the nation joined in mourning the loss of Vardar, including teams Galatasaray S.K., Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce S.K., which offered words of support and condolences.
“We have learned with profound sorrow of the passing of İstanbulspor footballer Baran Alp Vardar,” Trabzonspor wrote in a post on X.
“We extend our condolences to the family, loved ones, and the entire İstanbulspor community, and pray that the departed rests in peace.”
“May Baran Alp Vardar rest in peace,” Fenerbahce wrote in a post on X.
From The Epoch Times