*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13 June 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 June 2022
Gökdeniz Bayrakdar (born 23 November 2001) is a Turkish professional footballer who plays as a winger for TFF First League club Bodrum. He has represented Turkey at youth level.
Early years
Gökdeniz Bayrakdar was born on 23 November 2001, in Kandıra, Kocaeli Province to a family originally from Trabzon. He has two older brothers, and his father owns a grocery story, and his mother is a housewife.[2] As his family were passionate Trabzonspor fans, Bayrakdar was named after their club legend, Gökdeniz Karadeniz.[2]
Bayrakdar quickly became devoted to football, and started playing on the streets. At age nine, he was enrolled by his father at a football school in his hometown of Kandıra, before playing in the youth teams of Yenişehirspor and Kandıra.[2] He was then scouted by Kocaelispor after three successful training sessions.[2]
Club career
Kocaelispor
Bayrakdar made his senior debut after one year at the Kocaelispor academy as a substitute in a 1–0 Turkish Cup loss to Düzcespor on 30 August 2017.[3] His first league appearance followed on 10 September, as he came off the bench in 77th minute for Burak Süleyman in a 2–1 home loss to Uşakspor in the fourth level TFF Third League.[4] On 15 October, Bayrakdar scored his first goal in a 1–1 draw against Osmaniyespor.[5]
Antalyaspor
After successful seasons and interest from Beşiktaş, Bayrakdar signed a contract with Antalyaspor in the summer of 2020 after Kocaelispor's 10-year transfer ban had been lifted.[6] Bayrakdar made his professional debut for the club on 19 September 2020, coming off the bench for Nuri Şahin in a 1–1 Süper Lig draw against Beşiktaş on 19 September 2020, scoring his side's only goal in his debut.[7]
Bodrumspor
On 11 January 2023, Bayrakdar joined Bodrumspor on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season, with an option to buy.[8]
Bayrakdar has been utilised in a variety of positions due to his technical skill set and his understanding of the game. He can play as a striker, a winger or as an attacking midfielder. Usually deployed on the right wing, Bayrakdar often cuts inside on his left foot to move to a more central attacking position, and uses his speed and dribbling skills to take on defenders until he finds the space to make an attempt on goal, much like Arjen Robben.[9] In addition, he has a pronounced goal instinct.[10]