Yiğit Gökoğlan
Encyclopedia
Yiğit Gökoğlan is a Turkish
professional footballer who currently plays as a right winger for Manisaspor in the Süper Lig. Gökoğlan is also a youth international, having been capped at U-19, U-20, and U-21 levels for Turkey
.
, a large town in Manisa Province
, Gökoğlan was left at to live at the training facilities as a 14 year-old.
, then manager of Manisaspor, had Gökoğlan train with the senior squad instead of the youth team. Yanal told Gökoğlan that he had been training well with the youth teams, and he believed it would help him development if he trained with the senior team as well. As a 16-year old, Gökoğlan would train with the senior squad, while still competing in the youth leagues. In total, he made 44 appearances in the A2 league, scoring four goals. At the start of the 2007–08 season, Yilmaz Vural
took over as manager. Gökoğlan was loaned out to TFF Third League
outfit Altınordu during the winter break. He was unable to settle in at first, but began to feel better once the club started winning matches. At the end of the season, Altınordu missed out on direct promotion because of the goal difference rule. However, the team won promotion after defeating Bingöl Belediyespor and Keçiörengücü
in the promotion play-offs. Gökoğlan made 14 appearances, scoring one goal.
When Gökoğlan returned to Manisaspor at the beginning of the 2008–09 season, Yilmaz Vural had since been replaced Levent Eriş, and Manisaspor were competing in the TFF First League
, having been relegated after finishing 16th the previous season. Gökoğlan feared that he would be loaned out once again to another club in the TFF Third League, but Levent Eriş assured him he would figure in Manisaspor's plans. Eriş lived up to his word, with Gökoğlan scoring one goal in 23 appearances, winning promotion back to the Süper Lig. Gökoğlan enjoyed working under Eriş because of his easy-going and friendly attitude. Eriş' contract ended at the end of the season, and Manisaspor opted to sign Mesut Bakkal
instead. Under Bakkal, Manisaspor finished in 14th place in 2009–10, with Gökoğlan making 19 appearances and scoring one goal. At the start of the season, Gökoğlan once again began a new slate with a new coach; Hakan Kutlu
replaced the outgoing Mesut Bakkal, who signed with Sivasspor
. Under Kutlu, Gökoğlan has made three substitute appearances.
. He competed in six friendlies, before playing all three matches during 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification
. Turkey finished third and did not progress. Gökoğlan was then called up to the U-20s, playing two friendlies against Finland
. He has also been capped at U-21 level, playing in the Akdeniz Cup and 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
.
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
professional footballer who currently plays as a right winger for Manisaspor in the Süper Lig. Gökoğlan is also a youth international, having been capped at U-19, U-20, and U-21 levels for Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
.
Early years
Gökoğlan was born in Konak, İzmir. His parents divorced at an early age and he lived with his father, seeing his mother on weekends. Originally a forward, Gökoğlan switched to the winger position after moving to Manisaspor. Up until he was ten, Gökoğlan would run the 100 meters, once finishing third in his age group. However, he turned over to football with the help of Şadan Kıranlar, whom he still holds in high regard. Kıranlar was Gökoğlan's track coach, as well as his school teacher. He helped convince Gökoğlan to switch to football. Gökoğlan also contributed the pay disparity between professional footballers and track and field athletes as another deciding factor. In 1999, Gökoğlan joined local club Aliağa. At the time, his school and the club's training grounds were near his home, allowing easy access to both. However, once his father decided to move to TurgutluTurgutlu
Turgutlu is a very large town and district of Manisa Province in the Aegean region of Turkey. According to the 2009 census, population of the district is 140,753 of which 115930 live in the city of Turgutlu.The district covers an area of and the city lies at an elevation of...
, a large town in Manisa Province
Manisa Province
Manisa Province is a province in western Turkey. Its neighboring provinces are İzmir to the west, Aydın to the south, Denizli to the south east, Uşak to the east, Kütahya to the north east, and Balıkesir to the north...
, Gökoğlan was left at to live at the training facilities as a 14 year-old.
Manisaspor
Levent Eriş, along with his assistant Hakan Şapçı, discovered Gökoğlan at a youth league match. They signed him to a youth contract with Manisaspor in 2006. Ersun YanalErsun Yanal
Ersun Yanal is a Turkish football coach and former coach of the Turkish national football team.-Early years:...
, then manager of Manisaspor, had Gökoğlan train with the senior squad instead of the youth team. Yanal told Gökoğlan that he had been training well with the youth teams, and he believed it would help him development if he trained with the senior team as well. As a 16-year old, Gökoğlan would train with the senior squad, while still competing in the youth leagues. In total, he made 44 appearances in the A2 league, scoring four goals. At the start of the 2007–08 season, Yilmaz Vural
Yilmaz Vural
Yılmaz Vural is a Turkish football coach. He was a footballer and played as midfielder in Hacettepe and Sivasspor in 1970's. He is currently the manager of Turkish side Konyaspor....
took over as manager. Gökoğlan was loaned out to TFF Third League
TFF Third League
TFF Third League or TFF 3. Lig , is the fourth level in the Turkish football league system. It was founded in 2001-02 season as a continuation of then third level division Turkish Third Football League. 2010–11 is the 10th season of the league...
outfit Altınordu during the winter break. He was unable to settle in at first, but began to feel better once the club started winning matches. At the end of the season, Altınordu missed out on direct promotion because of the goal difference rule. However, the team won promotion after defeating Bingöl Belediyespor and Keçiörengücü
Keçiörengücü
Keçiörengücü is a sports club located in Ankara, Turkey. The football club plays in the Iddaa League B. Keçiörengücü was founded as Hacettepe with black-white colours in 1945. Hacettepe was one of Turkish First League's founder teams. They played in the First League between 1958-1960 and 1962-1968...
in the promotion play-offs. Gökoğlan made 14 appearances, scoring one goal.
When Gökoğlan returned to Manisaspor at the beginning of the 2008–09 season, Yilmaz Vural had since been replaced Levent Eriş, and Manisaspor were competing in the TFF First League
TFF First League
The TFF First League is the second level of the Turkish football league system. The league was founded in 2000 after it was separated from the Turkish Second League Category B during reorganizing Second League, who was second level of Turkish league between 1963–2001...
, having been relegated after finishing 16th the previous season. Gökoğlan feared that he would be loaned out once again to another club in the TFF Third League, but Levent Eriş assured him he would figure in Manisaspor's plans. Eriş lived up to his word, with Gökoğlan scoring one goal in 23 appearances, winning promotion back to the Süper Lig. Gökoğlan enjoyed working under Eriş because of his easy-going and friendly attitude. Eriş' contract ended at the end of the season, and Manisaspor opted to sign Mesut Bakkal
Mesut Bakkal
Mesut Bakkal is a football manager and former midfielder who played for Denizlispor and has managed Gaziantepspor and Gençlerbirliği S.K..-Career:Born in Kırıkkale, Bakkal began playing football for local side Kırıkkalespor...
instead. Under Bakkal, Manisaspor finished in 14th place in 2009–10, with Gökoğlan making 19 appearances and scoring one goal. At the start of the season, Gökoğlan once again began a new slate with a new coach; Hakan Kutlu
Hakan Kutlu
Hakan Kutlu is retired a Turkish footballer and a current manager who currently is a free-agent. His role was central defender and he was a long time captain of the team.He is one of the one-club men in Turkey...
replaced the outgoing Mesut Bakkal, who signed with Sivasspor
Sivasspor
Sivasspor is a Turkish sports club based in Sivas, Turkey formed in the year 1967. They play in the Turkish Süper Lig. Their manager is currently Riza Calimbay. They finished 15th in the 2010–11 Süper Lig. Their current captain is Hayrettin Yerlikaya....
. Under Kutlu, Gökoğlan has made three substitute appearances.
International career
Gökoğlan was first called up to national duty in 2008, after a third round matchup against AydınsporAydınspor
Aydınspor is a Turkish sports club based in Aydın. The football club plays in the Aydın Super Amateur League since 2009.-League Participations:First Level: 1990-1993Second Level: 1966-1984, 1985–1990, 1993–2002Third Level: 1984-1985, 2002–2006...
. He competed in six friendlies, before playing all three matches during 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification
2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification
UEFA U-19 Championship 2008 is the second round of qualifications for the Final Tournament of UEFA U-19 Championship 2008. The winners of each group join hosts Czech Republic at the Final Tournament.-Group 1:--------------------...
. Turkey finished third and did not progress. Gökoğlan was then called up to the U-20s, playing two friendlies against Finland
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
. He has also been capped at U-21 level, playing in the Akdeniz Cup and 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
The 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship started with a qualifying competition which began on 27 March 2009 and finished on 13 October 2010. The final tournament is being held in Denmark between 11–25 June 2011....
.
Career statistics
As of 10 February 2011.| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Altınordu | 2007–08 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 14 | 1 | |||||||||
| Total | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | ||
| Manisaspor | 2008–09 | 23 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |||||
| 27 | 1 | |||||||||
| 2009–10 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||||||
| 23 | 1 | |||||||||
| 2010–11 | 18 | 2 | 5 | 1 | ||||||
| 23 | 3 | |||||||||
| Total | 61 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 5 | ||
| Career total | 75 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 6 | ||