Born on September 7, 1939, in Edirne, Hayrettin Karaman started his football career as an attacking midfielder at İstanbul Telsizspor in 1954. He went on to play for İstanbulspor, Adaletspor, Beşiktaş, Sivas Karagücü, Ankara Demirspor, Altınordu, and Malatyaspor. In 1966, he joined Altınordu as the most expensive transfer of the year and served for 3 seasons until 1969. He represented the Turkish National Team twice at the U-21 level. After retiring from active football, he settled in Berlin in 1970 and obtained an A-license diploma.