Okan Alkan
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Okan Alkan | ||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Right back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Fenerbahçe | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005–2007 | Mardinspor | ||
| 2007– | Fenerbahçe | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010– | Fenerbahçe | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2007 | Turkey U-15 | 2 | (0) |
| 2008 | Turkey U-16 | 1 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | Turkey U-17 | 13 | (1) |
| 2009 | Turkey U-18 | 5 | (0) |
| 2010– | Turkey U-19 | 4 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 August 2010 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 August 2010 | |||
Okan Alkan (born 1 October 1992)[2] is a Turkish professional footballer who currently plays as a right back for Fenerbahçe S.K. in the Süper Lig.[2] Alkan, who has drawn comparisons to Gökhan Gönül and Cafu[3], made his professional debut on 29 August 2010.[4] He is also a youth international, playing for the Turkey U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18, and U-19 teams.[2]
Early life
Alkan was born in the town of Kızıltepe in the Mardin province of Turkey. One of six brothers, he joined a Fenerbahçe football school in Mardin as a 12-year old, unbeknownst to his father. After spending a year at the school, Alkan moved to Mardinspor, where he won a call-up to the Turkey U-15 squad. His father, who was also from Mardin, was not in favor of Alkan becoming a footballer. Instead, he encouraged Alkan to focus on school because he was already a good student. Originally a winger on both sides, Alkan converted to right back, where he has drawn comparisons to Fenerbahçe and Turkish international Gökhan Gönül. He has cited Gönül and FC Barcelona right back Dani Alves as the players he looks up to.[3]
Fenerbahçe
In 2007, Alkan transferred to Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe S.K. He started out with the B Genç team (14-16 year olds). The next season, he was promoted to the Süper Genç team (16-18), where he made 21 appearances in the DGSL (Deplasmanlı Süper Gençler Ligi).[2][3] Alkan was promoted to the A2 team (U-20) at the beginning of the 2009–10 season, making 17 appearances.[2] At the same time, Alkan started training with the senior team. One day, after a training session, Alkan was pulled aside by Roberto Carlos, who praised the youngsters potential, but also pointed out weaknesses he must improve upon. The Brazilian legend compared Alkan to his former Brazil teammate, Cafu. Gökhan Gönül has also helped tutor the youngster. Alkan explained in an interview with TFF.org that he and Gönül sit down after training to discuss what Alkan needs to do to improve his game.[3]
He made his professional debut for the club on 29 August 2010 against Manisaspor, playing the full ninety minutes.[4] Alkan had two scoring chances during the match. He helped provide the first goal when his cross slipped through İlker Avcıbay's hands, falling to Alex's feet, who netted the rebound. Alkan also assisted Mamadou Niang's first goal, whipping in a ball from the right flank that met the head of the Senegalese international. Alex expressed his happiness for the youngster, saying "I'm happy because it's the first time a youth player was given a chance to start during my six-year span with the club."[5] Manager Aykut Kocaman praised Alkan's performance after the match and said he was very pleased.[6]
INTERVIEWER: Were you surprised that you started, or did you know yesterday (that you would start)? OKAN: No, (Aykut) told me I would play yesterday. He told me "play the way you play, I believe in you". This helped me concentrate and I thank my manager for giving me the chance.[6]
International career
In April 2007, Alkan was called up to the Turkey U-15 squad for two friendlies against the Netherlands U-15s. Alkan came on as a sub in the first match[7], and then played the entirety of the second match.[8] A year later, Alkan was called up to the U-16 squad, making one appearance for the squad.[9] In September 2008, Alkan was called up to the Turkey U-17 team. In a match against the Malta U-17s, Alkan came on as a substitute in the 41st minute and contributed two assists. Alkan cites this performance as one of the turning points in his career.[3] He participated in 13 matches (including substitutions) and scored one goal.[2] Alkan was the starting right back for the Turkey squad at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[3] They were knocked out by Colombia in the quarter-finals after a 1–1 draw (Colombia won 5–3 on penalties).[10] Alkan was also selected for the U-18 squad five times in 2009, but was not capped. Alkan was promoted to the U-19 team in 2010.[2] Alkan was the starting right back for the U-19 team that finished second in Group 4 of the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship elite qualification behind Spain.[3]
Personal life
Alkan has five brothers and one sister. In his free time he enjoys playing table tennis, billiards, and Playstation.[3]
Career statistics
As of 29 August 2010.[2]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Fenerbahçe | 2010–11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
References
- ^ "Okan ALKAN". fifa.com. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "OKAN ALKAN" (in Turkish). tff.org. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Selim Şakarcan (1 February 2010). "Mardin-Fenerbahçe hattı: Okan Alkan" (in Turkish). tff.org. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ^ a b "FENERBAHÇE 4-2 MANİSASPOR" (in Turkish). tff.org. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ^ "Alex'in Okan sevinci!" (in Turkish). ligtv.com.tr. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ^ a b Aykut Kocaman, Okan Alkan (29 August 2010). Günün kahramanları! (Flash video (.FLV)) (in Turkish). ligtv.com.tr. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
- ^ "TÜRKİYE 4-1 HOLLANDA" (in Turkish). tff.org. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ^ "TÜRKİYE 3-1 HOLLANDA" (in Turkish). tff.org. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ^ "UKRANYA 1-1 TÜRKİYE" (in Turkish). tff.org. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ^ "FIFA U-17 World Cup 2009". fifa.com. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
External links
- Fenerbahçe S.K. profile Template:Tr icon
- Okan Alkan – FIFA competition record (archived)