Forgotten Premier League cult hero unrecognisable as famous flowing locks go grey and ex-team-mate calls him ‘best ever’

THIS former Premier League cult hero looks totally unrecognisable after going grey and trimming his famous flowing locks.

The ex-star spent eight years in England with one club having joined from Rangers in 2001.

He racked up an impressive 293 appearances and chipped in with 13 goals.

The ace was distinctive as he ran around the middle of the park always followed by a long train of hair.

However, these days he cuts a very different look.

The hair has been cut a lot shorter and he is now a silver fox.

Recent posts show him looking rather suave in a black suit and tie.

And former Blackburn team-mate Robbie Savage - another midfielder who loved his flowing locks - commented on one from August: "Happy birthday mate, best ever."

The mystery footballer is of course Tugay.

Yes, Tugay Kerimoglu - the former Turkey star who was a regular fixture at Ewood Park after initially coming through at Galatasaray before his stint at Ibrox.

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Tugay - who reportedly "smoked 20 a day" - was part of the side that won the 2001-02 League Cup under Graeme Souness and was crowned Rovers' player of the season in 2003-04.

He won 94 international caps - including representing the Crescent Stars at Euro 1996, Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup, where they finished third.

Tugay, now 52, retired in 2009 aged 38 after his final season with Blackburn and was given a standing ovation when substituted off in the closing minutes against West Brom.

He dipped into management, working in the Manchester City academy under former boss Mark Hughes before spells as Galatasaray assistant and then as Sanliurfaspor gaffer for five months until April 2016.