Volkan Demirel

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Demirel was born in Fatih, Istanbul to a family from Artvin with Georgian and Laz roots. He joined Kartalspor as an 18-year-old in 1999 and became the starting goalkeeper the following year. He played in 51 matches over the next two seasons, earning a transfer to Fenerbahçe at the start of the 2002 season. For many years, he was the starting goalkeeper of Fenerbahçe and the Turkey national team.

In Their Own Story

In the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie with Sevilla, Demirel made several mistakes, costing two goals. However, he went on to save three penalties in the penalty shootout, helping Fenerbahçe progress to the quarter-finals, the first time in club history. Fenerbahçe went on to face Chelsea, losing 2–3 on aggregate. At UEFA Euro 2008, Demirel was the starting goalkeeper for the Turkey national team, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in team history. He started all three group stage matches, but was suspended for two matches after receiving a red card against the Czech Republic for viciously pushing Jan Koller to the ground after Jan for unknown reasons ran and shouted at him.

Reader's Guide

Demirel made his debut for Fenerbahçe on 26 April 2003. He won Süper Lig titles in 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2010–11, and 2013–14, and Turkish Cups in 2011–12 and 2012–13. He was the starting goalkeeper for Turkey at UEFA Euro 2008, reaching the semi-finals. He left the national team in 2014 after a dispute with a fan. He retired on 2 September 2019 and became an assistant coach at Fenerbahçe, then managed Fatih Karagümrük, Hatayspor, and Bodrum.

Did You Know?

• Demirel saved three penalties in a shootout against Sevilla in the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
• He is married to former Miss Belgium Zeynep Sever and has two daughters, Yade and Yeda.
• His nickname is 'Ayı Volkan' ('Volkan the Bear'), which he takes in good humour.