Tarkan began as a schoolboy at Norwich but switched to Wimbledon. He failed to make their first team and had spells with Kettering, Barnet (11 league appearances) and Kingstonian. With the latter he was a FA Trophy winner in 1999, scoring the winning goal against Forest Green.

Tarkan later played for Rushden & Diamonds but went on the transfer list in November 2002 as he could not be guaranteed a first team place due to competition from other right backs. The Non League Paper reported on November 17th that although Tarkan "has his sights set on staying in Division Three", Conference side Doncaster and Burton Albion have been linked with signing him.

Despite a trial with Coventry City, the transfer-listed midfielder joined Doncaster on a month's loan on the 20th December 2002. Despite being offered both a "good" contract by Rovers and an extension to his loan, Tarkan opted to return to Diamonds on 20th January 2003. Two weeks later, he was on the move again, transferring permanently to Doncaster's Conference rivals Dagenham and Redbridge.

Tarkan quit Dagenham at the beginning of May 2004. Media speculation linked him with former Daggers' boss Gary Hill who had taken up a new appointment as Hornchurch's manager.This came true a few days later. Dubbed the "Chelsea of Non-League" for their spending, Hornchurch raced to the top of the Conference South only for their bubble to burst at the beginning of November 2004 when the business collapse of their sponsor left them unable to pay their players and so made all their players available for transfer.

After training with Peterborough and playing for them in a Reserves match with Coventry (2-2), Tarkan signed for Aldershot towards the end of January 2005 on a contract until May 2006.

He was loaned to Essex side Billericay Town in October 2005. He was released by the Shots towards the end of February 2006. After a short spell with Worthing, he joined Thurrock in September 2006. He returned to Worthing in August 2007. He left the Rebels in early October 2007

Mustafa signed a short term contract with Braintree Town in November 2007 and made his debut on 20th Noveber in the Setanta Shield game against St Albans City. He was a second half substitute and while he successfully converted a penalty in the shootout, Braintree ended up losing 5-4 on pens after the game finished 1-1 aet.