Gökmen Özdenak
Turkish footballer (1947–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gökmen Özdenak (22 June 1947 – 31 December 2025) was a Turkish footballer who played as a striker. He is best known for his stint with Galatasaray, and is known by his nickname Ayı Gökmen (English, "Gökmen the Bear"). He represented the Turkey national team.
Date of birth
22 June 1947
Place of birth
Adana, Turkey
Date of death
31 December 2025 (aged 78)
Place of death
Istanbul, Turkey
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 22 June 1947 | ||
| Place of birth | Adana, Turkey | ||
| Date of death | 31 December 2025 (aged 78) | ||
| Place of death | Istanbul, Turkey | ||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1965–1967 | İstanbulspor | 15 | (5) |
| 1967–1980 | Galatasaray | 297 | (99) |
| Total | 312 | (104) | |
| International career | |||
| 1966 | Turkey U18 | 1 | (0) |
| 1970 | Turkey U21 | 4 | (0) |
| 1972–1977 | Turkey | 9 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
Özdenak begun his footballing career with İstanbulspor in the Turkish Süper Lig. Two years later, he transferred to Galatasaray and helped them win four Süper Lig titles as he played there for 13 years.[1]
Outside football
After his footballing career, Özdenak began commentating football with former footballer Ziya Şengül.[2]