Galatasaray's former star Cevad Prekazi dies at 69

Cevad Prekazi, who played for Galatasaray between 1985-1991, has died at the age of 69. According to Ekonomim, the exact cause of death for the former footballer has not yet been disclosed; Prekazi had recovered his health following a stroke he suffered in 2023.

Born on August 18, 1957, in Kosovska Mitrovica, Yugoslavia, the footballer began his career at Remont. He joined Partizan's youth academy in 1974 and was promoted to the first team in 1976; he won three Yugoslav championships with the club. After moving to Hajduk Split, Prekazi experienced Yugoslav Cup championship success there. In 1985, after briefly wearing the Baltimore Blast jersey in the United States, he transferred to Galatasaray the same year.

Prekazi carried the yellow-and-red colors for six seasons, experiencing two league championships at Galatasaray. Particularly known for his left foot and mastery of set pieces, Prekazi entered the pantheon of unforgettable moments in club history with a free kick goal from approximately 30 meters in the 1989 European Cup quarter-final match against Monaco, which eliminated the French side; with this result, Galatasaray advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament. He concluded his playing career at Altay and Bakırköyspor.