Former Western Sydney Wanderers player Kerem Bulut charged over jail assault

He was once one of Australia’s most promising soccer stars, but Kerem Bulut’s career appears to be over after he allegedly bashed his cellmate’s face while on remand facing other criminal charges.

Kerem Bulut should be a world famous soccer star earning millions of dollars.

Instead, the 29-year-old former Western Sydney Wanderers’ cult figure — who starred in European leagues as a younger man — is behind bars on remand facing criminal charges.

And while on remand at Silverwater Prison last week he allegedly bashed his cellmate’s face to the point of causing grievous bodily harm. The cellmate‘s crime was allegedly taking too long to act on Bulut’s request that he turn off the light.

The footballer — whose characteristic tattoos include tears, and one that reads “unbreakable” where his right eyebrow used to be — had been taken into custody over an incident during a party at his Rockdale apartment on March 5.

Kerem Bulut during his soccer career with the Western Sydney Wanderers. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Police arrived at the Princes Hwy property about 10pm to find music blaring and several windows open.

As the officers walked in, they allegedly saw Bulut assaulting another man.

Bulut was charged with breaching bail and other offences and put back behind bars.

The officers also took out an AVO against Bulut for the man.

He was charged again after allegedly assaulting his 49-year-old cellmate on March 24.

It will be alleged in court Bulut was on the bottom bunk in the cell and instructed the cellmate — who was on the top bunk — to switch off the light.

Kerem Bulut has been charged after allegedly assaulting his cellmate.

The alleged victim is understood to have told Bulut: “Yep, in a minute.”

But Bulut then allegedly either repeatedly punched the man’s head or bashed it against the bed after the man did not move fast enough.

Police will allege that prison guards were not alerted to the 49-year-old’s condition for two hours.

The alleged victim was taken to Concord Hospital suffering a broken eye socket, bruising to his head and other injuries.

A NSW Police spokesman said Bulut was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Former Wanderers striker Kerem Bulut is on remand in jail. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Bulut will appear in Burwood Local Court on Thursday, April 8.

Born in Sydney to Turkish parents, Bulut had a tough upbringing in Auburn — his father served time in prison — but was identified at an early age as one of Australian soccer’s brightest prospects thanks to his freakish ability to put the ball in the back of the net as a striker.

And he formed a habit of performing in the big moments. Like winning the golden boot award at the 2010 Asian under 19 championships, or scoring a double on debut for the Wanderers against cross town rivals, Sydney FC, in 2015.

Bold fashion statement: Bulut shows off his tattoo in 2019. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

Bulut as a Western Sydney Wanderers recruit in 2015.

He was selected to the Australian national sides for 17 to 23-year-olds from 2008 to 2012.

With a professional career beckoning, it was rumoured Bulut would sign with Sydney FC but was also linked to clubs in Spain and Turkey.

In 2010, Bulut signed with Czech club Mladá Boleslav.

He stayed with the club until 2013 before moving to Turkish club Akhisar Belediyespor.

Bulut’s playing career ended abruptly in May 2018 when he tested positive for cocaine while playing for Turkish second league club Menemenspor.

He was handed a crippling four year ban after pleading guilty.