Aytaç Sulu

Aytaç Sulu (born 11 December 1985 in Heidelberg, Germany) is a Turkish football defender currently playing for SV Darmstadt 98 as captain in the Bundesliga.

In his youth, Sulu played for FV Nußloch, SG Heidelberg-Kirchheim and SV Sandhausen. In the 2004/2005 seasonm, he came into the first team of SV Sandhausen. He then moved to Bahlinger SC, from Verbandsliga Baden and got them promoted in the season he arrived. He became a true professional footballer with 1899 Hoffenheim, making most of his appearances for the second team.

In 2009, he reunited with Rainer Scharinger at VfR Aalen, whom was his coach with Sandausen, and Hoffenheim. He captained the team, and got them promoted into the 3. Liga. After a contract standoff, he left on a free transfer to the Turkish team, Gençlerbirliği. Due to his Turkish passport, he did not count as a foreign player for the team, but he only made a couple of appearances for the team. Following an unsuccessful year, he left the Turkish club on a free transfer. He again reunited with Scharinger who then managed the Austrian team SCR Altach, but lasted a couple of months before transferring in 2013 to SV Darmstadt 98.

Sulu's fortunes changed dramatically when he joined Darmstadt, coached by Dirk Schuster. When he joined them, they were one of the lowerst teams in the 3. Liga, and hardly avoided relegation in their first season there. Sulu had strong defensive performances, and became their captain for the 2013/2014 season. Sulu captained the squad in a hugely successful season, where they finished as runners-up, and were promoted to the 2. Bundesliga for the first time in 15 years.

Sulu remained Darmstadt's captain in their 2014/15 season. Darmstadt had the stingiest defence in the league, with the least goals, of which Sulu played a huge part. They came second in the 2. Bundesliga, and were promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time in 33 years.

Again, Sulu held on to the armband for their season in the 2015–16 Bundesliga season. He had an incredibly successful season, for a team that struggled to avoid relegation. In his debut Bundesliga season, Sulu has been universal heralded for his defensive displays and resilient play style. He scored 7 headed goals so far into the season, a record for a defender in the Bundesliga.

Sulu was born and raised in Germany to parents of Turkish descent. He only holds a Turkish passport and declared for the Turkey national football team but he remains eligible for the Germany national football team. He is a trained car salesman, and almost quit his footballing career to go back to car sales, before his successful move to Darmstadt.