Colin Kazim-Richards
Encyclopedia
Colin Kazim-Richards commonly known as Colin Kâzım, Kâzım or Kâzım Kâzım, is an English
-born Turkish
footballer who plays for Galatasaray
, and internationally for Turkey
having qualified for Turkish nationality through his mother's ethnicity. An anglicised form of the Turkish
given name Kâzım was intended to be a middle name, which would have rendered his full name as 'Colin-Kazim Richards', but due to an error, he was legally registered as 'Colin Kazim-Richards'.
, where he developed an interest in football, which continued into his secondary education
at Aveling Park, Walthamstow. His mother is a Turkish Cypriot (which enabled him to join the Turkish national team), and his father is of Antigua
n descent. When applying for Turkish citizenship, he was forced to change his name due to Turkish laws not allowing non-Turkish names once citizenship has been established. Kazim-Richards selected the name Kâzım Kâzım.
, after joining the club at the age of 15 and progressing through the club's youth team and centre of excellence. He broke into the first team in the 2004–2005 season, and his performances caught the attention of larger clubs.
for £250,000. The contract was signed after a fan of the club, Aaron Berry, won the sum for the club in a competition run by Coca-Cola
which, in turn, led to Kazim-Richards being dubbed the "Coca-Cola Kid". He was often brought on as a second-half substitute
, and by the end of the 2005–2006 season, he had scored six league goals for the club, including its 5,000th league goal. He submitted a transfer request after being omitted from the starting line-up of Brighton's opening match as they began their campaign in 2006–2007 against Rotherham
.
for £150,000 on 31 August 2006, the deadline day for the transfer window
. Kazim-Richards signed a three-year deal with the Blades after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms. He scored once for Sheffield United, in a 2–2 draw with Bolton Wanderers in November 2006.
goal for Fenerbahçe in the quarter-final first leg against Chelsea
on 2 April 2008. After serving as a rotation player during the 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons, Kazim-Richards broke into Christoph Daum
's first choice lineup in the 2009–10 season.
Despite success on the pitch during the 2009–10 season, Kazim-Richards had an argument with Fenerbahçe fans after being taken off the pitch in a match against İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor. Against Beşiktaş
, Kazim-Richards was red carded for swearing at the referee and banned for 4 matches. While serving his ban, on the same night that his team mates lost to Kasimpasa
, the media reported Kazim-Richards was out on the town. This report was denied by the Fenerbahçe board who released an official statement. The following day, pictures of Kazim-Richards were released and the Fenerbahçe board rescinded their earlier statement, claiming that Kazim-Richards had lied about his whereabouts which had triggered their denial of the report.
In December 2009, Kazim-Richards was also alleged to be involved in a sex scandal also involving other Fenerbahçe players. A few days later while speeding to get to his team's training session, Kazim-Richards had a car crash during which he had not worn his seat belt and broke his right wrist: Kazim-Richards denies media claims that he was drunk prior to the accident.
Following these events, the Fenerbahçe board and manager Christoph Daum
sought to find an alternative club for Kazim-Richards to join, and he joined French
club Toulouse
on a six-month loan from January 2010, for whom he scored on his debut in a 3–1 away win against Le Mans UC72
.
in a victory against Switzerland
on 24 March 2007. On 30 April, the Turkish national coach Fatih Terim
declared that Kazim-Richards would play for the senior team
.
Terim called him up for matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina
and Brazil
. He received his first senior international cap in a 0–0 friendly draw against Brazil on 5 June 2007, a game in which he played 38 minutes. He was a member of Turkey's Euro 2008 squad, playing in all five matches as the side reached the semi-finals.
On 10 August 2011, he scored 2 goals in a friendly match against Estonia
at Türk Telekom Arena.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
-born Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
footballer who plays for Galatasaray
Galatasaray S.K. (football team)
Galatasaray Anonim Şirketi is a Turkish football club, part of the Galatasaray S.K. multi-sport club of Istanbul. Galatasaray is a major sports club in Turkey, holding 17 Turkish Super League titles and the highest number of Turkish Cups....
, and internationally for Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
having qualified for Turkish nationality through his mother's ethnicity. An anglicised form of the Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
given name Kâzım was intended to be a middle name, which would have rendered his full name as 'Colin-Kazim Richards', but due to an error, he was legally registered as 'Colin Kazim-Richards'.
Personal life
Kazim-Richards attended Greenleaf Primary School in WalthamstowWalthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
, where he developed an interest in football, which continued into his secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
at Aveling Park, Walthamstow. His mother is a Turkish Cypriot (which enabled him to join the Turkish national team), and his father is of Antigua
Antigua
Antigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
n descent. When applying for Turkish citizenship, he was forced to change his name due to Turkish laws not allowing non-Turkish names once citizenship has been established. Kazim-Richards selected the name Kâzım Kâzım.
Bury
Kazim-Richards began his professional career at BuryBury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
, after joining the club at the age of 15 and progressing through the club's youth team and centre of excellence. He broke into the first team in the 2004–2005 season, and his performances caught the attention of larger clubs.
Brighton & Hove Albion
At the age of 19, he was signed on a three-year contract by Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
for £250,000. The contract was signed after a fan of the club, Aaron Berry, won the sum for the club in a competition run by Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
which, in turn, led to Kazim-Richards being dubbed the "Coca-Cola Kid". He was often brought on as a second-half substitute
Substitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
, and by the end of the 2005–2006 season, he had scored six league goals for the club, including its 5,000th league goal. He submitted a transfer request after being omitted from the starting line-up of Brighton's opening match as they began their campaign in 2006–2007 against Rotherham
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
.
Sheffield United
Subsequently, Brighton sold him to Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
for £150,000 on 31 August 2006, the deadline day for the transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
. Kazim-Richards signed a three-year deal with the Blades after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms. He scored once for Sheffield United, in a 2–2 draw with Bolton Wanderers in November 2006.
Fenerbahçe
On 15 June 2007, Kazim-Richards signed a four-year contract with the Turkish club Fenerbahçe. He scored his second UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
goal for Fenerbahçe in the quarter-final first leg against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
on 2 April 2008. After serving as a rotation player during the 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons, Kazim-Richards broke into Christoph Daum
Christoph Daum
Christoph Daum is a German football coach, currently managing Club Brugge.-Career as a player:Daum began his football career in 1971 in the youth league with Hamborn 07, transferred in 1972 to Eintracht Duisburg and then in 1975 to 1...
's first choice lineup in the 2009–10 season.
Despite success on the pitch during the 2009–10 season, Kazim-Richards had an argument with Fenerbahçe fans after being taken off the pitch in a match against İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor. Against Beşiktaş
Besiktas
Beşiktaş is a municipality of Istanbul, Turkey, located on the European shore of the Bosphorus. It is bordered on the north by Sarıyer and Şişli, on the west by Kağıthane and Şişli, on the south by Beyoğlu, and on the east by the Bosphorus...
, Kazim-Richards was red carded for swearing at the referee and banned for 4 matches. While serving his ban, on the same night that his team mates lost to Kasimpasa
Kasimpasa S.K.
Kasımpaşa Spor Kulübü is a Turkish football club located in Istanbul, Turkey. They play their home games in the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium. The club was founded in 1921 as Altıntuğ. They played in the Istanbul First League between 1939–1945 and 1946–1959. The club was promoted to the Turkish...
, the media reported Kazim-Richards was out on the town. This report was denied by the Fenerbahçe board who released an official statement. The following day, pictures of Kazim-Richards were released and the Fenerbahçe board rescinded their earlier statement, claiming that Kazim-Richards had lied about his whereabouts which had triggered their denial of the report.
In December 2009, Kazim-Richards was also alleged to be involved in a sex scandal also involving other Fenerbahçe players. A few days later while speeding to get to his team's training session, Kazim-Richards had a car crash during which he had not worn his seat belt and broke his right wrist: Kazim-Richards denies media claims that he was drunk prior to the accident.
Following these events, the Fenerbahçe board and manager Christoph Daum
Christoph Daum
Christoph Daum is a German football coach, currently managing Club Brugge.-Career as a player:Daum began his football career in 1971 in the youth league with Hamborn 07, transferred in 1972 to Eintracht Duisburg and then in 1975 to 1...
sought to find an alternative club for Kazim-Richards to join, and he joined French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
club Toulouse
Toulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
on a six-month loan from January 2010, for whom he scored on his debut in a 3–1 away win against Le Mans UC72
Le Mans UC72
Le Mans Football Club is a French association football club based in Le Mans. The club was founded in 1985 as a result of a merger under the name Le Mans Union Club 72. In 2010, Le Mans changed its name to Le Mans FC to coincide with the re-modeling of the club, which includes moving into a new...
.
Galatasaray
He returned to Fenerbahçe for the following season. On 3 January 2011, Fenerbahçe decided to terminate his contract. He signed a three and a half year contract with local rivals Galatasaray in January 2011 and subsequently went on to score against his previous employers during the season.International career
Kazim-Richards scored and was credited with an assist in his debut for the Turkey under-21 teamTurkey national under-21 football team
Turkey's national Under-21 football team , also known as Turkey Under-21s or Turkey U-21s, is the Under-21 years of age team of the Turkey national football team.-History:...
in a victory against Switzerland
Switzerland national under-21 football team
The Switzerland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Switzerland and is controlled by the Swiss Football Association...
on 24 March 2007. On 30 April, the Turkish national coach Fatih Terim
Fatih Terim
Fatih Terim, Commendatore OSSI, is a Turkish football former player and manager. Terim was born in Adana, Turkey to Nuriye and Talat Terim. His father, Talat, is a Turkish Cypriot who emigrated to Turkey....
declared that Kazim-Richards would play for the senior team
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
.
Terim called him up for matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
and Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
. He received his first senior international cap in a 0–0 friendly draw against Brazil on 5 June 2007, a game in which he played 38 minutes. He was a member of Turkey's Euro 2008 squad, playing in all five matches as the side reached the semi-finals.
On 10 August 2011, he scored 2 goals in a friendly match against Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
at Türk Telekom Arena.
International goals
Correct as of 10 August 2011| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 10 August 2011 | Türk Telekom Arena, İstanbul Istanbul Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and... , Turkey Turkey Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe... |
2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | |
| 2. | 10 August 2011 | Türk Telekom Arena, İstanbul Istanbul Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and... , Turkey Turkey Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe... |
3–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | |