Göktan Gürpüz: Who is the Turkish-German midfielder hoping to break through at Borussia Dortmund?
Göktan Gürpüz has already crossed the Revierderby divide - will the Borussia Dortmund midfielder get to face Schalke for real in 2023/24? bundesliga.com takes a closer look at his top-flight credentials...
Stats correct as of 10 July 2023
Age: 20 (born 22 January 2023)
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Attacking midfielder
Country: Turkey (four U21 caps)/ Germany (eight U19 caps)
Key stats
Gürpüz has spent the last two seasons training with the Dortmund seniors, but playing for the reserves and U19s. He had a direct hand in two goals in 14 3. Liga appearances in 2022/23, having contributed 11 to BVB's U19s Bundesliga title-winning team a year earlier, as well as 15 across 21 U17 Bundesliga outings in 2019/20.
An unused Bundesliga and DFB Cup substitute on a handful of occasions to date, Gürpüz has once again been named in Dortmund's first-team squad ahead of 2023/24. The 5'8" midfielder - who spent five years at Schalke's famed youth academy before moving to fierce local rivals BVB in 2016 - has a contract with the Black-Yellows through to summer 2025. He has played for Germany and Turkey at junior international level.
Plays a bit like: Leon Goretzka
There's more than a touch of Leon Goretzka about Gürpüz. The BVB youngster has a similarly leggy stride to the Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder, and is just as comfortable operating in tight spaces. He's also strong in the tackle and likes a shot from range.
Did you know?
Göktan is not the only Gürpüz on the Dortmund books. Younger brother and fellow midfielder Gökdeniz is currently with the U19s.
What they're saying
"He still needs to fill out physically, but there's no questioning his potential. He'll surely play in the Bundesliga some day." - Dortmund U19s coach Mike Tullberg
"He has a great deal of game intelligence, is quick to act and recognises the spaces he has to operate in." - Lars Ricken, director of Dortmund's youth performance centre
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