KEREM Bulut is aware of his “bad boy” reputation.

The tattoos, a troubled past and run-ins with the law brought the talented footballer’s future into question.

But the 24-year-old, from Auburn, said he had been misjudged.

“Sometimes I get portrayed as a bad person or whatever, but it is nothing like that,” Bulut said.

“People make judgments, but if you want to make a judgment, come and meet me. Have a chat with me and see what sort of person I am.

“I am a family man and a person who loves football — I’m nothing else.”

media_camera Kerem Bulut was a fan favourite during his first stint with Western Sydney Wanderers. Picture: Mark Evans

After spending a season in Greece at Iraklis, Bulut has returned to the Western Sydney Wanderers after putting pen to paper on a two-year deal.

A true western Sydney boy, Bulut grew up in Auburn, and has a unique bond with the fans in his hometown.

He regularly has a coffee at Karizma Cafe, owned by friend Sam Tunc, and his sister, Melike, works there.

It’s where he catches up with friends, his physio Salem Sawda, who is two doors down from the coffee shop, and his mother Songul Soylemez, who visits during her work break.

media_camera Kerem Bulut is a hometown hero in Auburn.

Walking through the streets of Auburn, Bulut is a hometown hero.

He shakes hands and is accommodating to friends and people he doesn’t know.

The faces of two young children light up as they see Bulut and they high-five him as they walk past their idol.

“The best thing is I know a lot of people look up to me here in Auburn,” Bulut said.

“Not many people make it out of Auburn — maybe you can count them on one hand.”

media_camera Karizma Cafe owner Sam Tunc greets Kerem Bulut. Bulut regularly goes to Tunc’s coffee shop in Auburn to catch up with family and friends.

Bulut started his football career as a five-year-old playing at Auburn’s Mona Park.

He went to Granville Public School and Granville Boys, before finishing his schooling at Westfield Sports High School.

The chance to play in front of family and friends lured Bulut back to the Wanderers.

“I knew at this point of my career I needed to be at Western Sydney to work with (Tony) Popovic and the coaching staff, to play close to home and the love of the fans,” Bulut said.

Bulut scored six goals in 13 appearances during his first stint at Wanderland.

“(Popovic) has always got the best out of me, and we have a very close relationship. I’ll do anything for him, and I feel it’s vice versa,” he said.

media_camera Kerem Bulut scored two goals in his Wanderers debut. It was the first time Bulut’s mother watched him play. Picture: Mark Evans

Bulut wants to score 15 to 20 goals this season and lead the Wanderers to its maiden A-League championship.

He also wants to repay the club’s faith after he was charged by police with verbal intimidation after an incident at McDonald’s Auburn in March 2015.

Evidence later revealed Bulut wasn’t involved, and the charges were dropped.

“The club could have not believed me and sacked me, but I’m very grateful for the club trusting my word and truth came out,” Bulut said.

“For me, it’s in the past and I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I’m just out to do good things from now on. That’s all I want to do.”

media_camera Kerem Bulut with his sister Melike Bulut and his mother Songul Soylemez. The new Wanderers signing is happy he will get the opportunity to play in front of family and friends.

His mother could not be happier that her son is home.

“I was very surprised and happy when I found out he was coming home because we did miss him,” Ms Soylemez said.

“He has a beautiful, big heart. People don’t like him because of his tattoos and what he went through in earlier stages of life, but once people meet him, they love him. He’s a good kid, and we’re all proud of him.”