Altıntop started his professional career in the local German club Wattenscheid 09 along with his brother.

Altıntop, who played as a striker, finished third highest scorer in the Bundesliga for the 2005–06 season with 20 goals.

However, after only one season, his brother Hamit Altıntop joined Bayern Munich on another free deal.

[3] After Eintracht Frankfurt were relegated in the 2010–11 season, Altıntop was transferred to Turkish side Trabzonspor signing a three-year contract.

In this time at Augsburg, he made 116 appearances in the Bundesliga scoring 20 goals and contributing 12 assists.