Xhevad Prekazi

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Xhevad Prekazi (Serbian: Dževad Prekazi) (born 1957 in Kosovo) is a retired football player. He is generally considered one of the best players ever to have worn the jersey of the Turkish club Galatasaray. Prekazi was instrumental in building up the Galatasaray team to a point where it became the strongest Turkish league team and a major force in European football. He is renowned for his brilliant technique, dribbling, long shots and crosses.

[edit] Life

Xhevad Prekazi started his professional career at Partizan Belgrade in 1976, where he was seen as a player with great potential. Prekazi spent ten years in Partizan, and moved to Hajduk Split after a dispute with the management of the team. Prekazi was a part of Hajduk team that played in the semifinals of the UEFA Cup against Tottenham Hotspur. A Galatasaray board member noticed his talent on the pitch and arranged a transfer. Prekazi joined Galatasaray in time for the 1985-1986 season.

He failed to sparkle initially, but eventually his skill rose to the surface. Xhevad Prekazi scored 40 goals in 174 league games for Galatasaray. He won 2 national league championships with Galatasaray and was an instrumental part of the side which reached the European Cup semi final in the 1988/89 season. Prekazi is one of the Galatasaray greats. His goal from 40 meters against Monaco is often considered an exceptional and unforgettable memory for Turkish fans.

In 1991 he left Galatasaray and moved to Bakırköyspor. At that year in the match between Galatasaray and Bakırköyspor Galatasaray fans showed their love and loyalty to him by singing a march titled "We cannot forget you". After this event Prekazi couldn't hide his tears and he left the pitch crying. He finished his career at Altay İzmir.

Following a successful playing career, Prekazi had a few minor coaching stints, the most notable of which was his short time at the helm of Belgrade's FK Zeleznik during 2001/02 season.

Prekazi currently lives in Belgrade.