2000: Makes debut for hometown club Sakaryanspor, scores 32 goals in 66 games
August 2002: Signs for Turkish giants Fenerbahce
September 2002: Makes debut for Fenerbahce, against Gazientapspor
2002: Makes debut for Turkey, currently has 68 caps and 20 international goals.
June 2003: Helps Turkey to 3rd place in Confederations Cup
May 2004: Win Turkish league
2004/5: Scores Champions League hat trick versus Manchester United, only the second player to achieve such a feat. He scored 12 goals in 26 appearances in the competition
May 2005: Wins Turkish league for second time
November 2005: Scores hat trick in World Cup playoff v Switzerland
May 2006: Named Fenerbahce player of the year
May 2007: Wins Turkish league for third time in 154th, and final, appearance for Fenerbahce, he scored 59 goals. He also won player of the year for the second year running
June 2007: Joins Middlesbrough on a free transfer after his contract ran out at Fenerbahce and he stated his desire to play in England. He went to play 70 games for 'Boro, scoring 17 goals
June 2008: Helps Turkey to 3rd place in Euro 2008, winning FIFA fairplay award, named captain of the Turkish national side
May 2009: Relegated to Championship with Middlesbrough
June 2009: Swept the board at the Middlesbrough end of season awards
August 2009: Joins Stoke for £5.5m,