Orkun Kökçü is a Turkish-Dutch professional footballer born in 2000.
He was awarded the prestigious title of Dutch Footballer of the Year during his career.
Kökçü began his professional career at Feyenoord Rotterdam, where he played from 2018 to 2023.
Biography
Early Life
Orkun Kökçü was born in 2000 in the Netherlands to Turkish parents, hailing from Suvermez, Emirdağ. Growing up in Haarlem, he began his football journey at local clubs before joining the youth academy of FC Groningen. His talent was evident early on, leading him to Feyenoord's youth setup in 2014, where he honed his skills as a midfielder.
Career
Kökçü made his professional debut for Feyenoord at just 17 years old, scoring in a KNVB Cup match against VV Gemert on September 17, 2018. He quickly established himself in the Eredivisie, contributing significantly to his team's success. In 2022, he was appointed captain of Feyenoord, leading them to victory in the 2022–23 Eredivisie season. After a successful stint, Kökçü transferred to S.L. Benfica in June 2023 for a record fee, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Internationally, Kökçü initially represented the Netherlands at various youth levels before switching allegiance to Turkey. He made his senior debut for the Turkish national team in September 2020 and was later included in the squad for UEFA Euro 2020 and the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024.
Personal Life
Beyond the pitch, Kökçü is known for his strong family ties; he is the younger brother of professional footballer Ozan Kökçü, who plays for Azerbaijan. A lifelong supporter of Beşiktaş, Kökçü has expressed his desire to play for the club he has admired since childhood, showcasing his deep-rooted connection to Turkish football.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Feyenoord
A youth product of FC Groningen, where he arrived after having played for local clubs around his hometown Haarlem, Kökçü joined the Feyenoord youth academy in 2014. He made his debut for Feyenoord at the age of 17 in a 4–0 win over VV Gemert in the first round of the KNVB Cup on 17 September 2018, scoring Feyenoord's second goal. He made his Eredivisie debut against FC Emmen on 9 December 2018, and contributed with a goal and an assist after coming on as a substitute. On 10 April 2019, he extended his contract at Feyenoord until 2023. On 26 June 2020, he reached an agreement to extend his contract with Feyenoord for another two years, a deal to the end of the 2024–25 season. Following Jens Toornstra's departure, Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot chose Kökçü as his club captain on 2 September 2022. With Kökçü as captain, Feyenoord went on to win the 2022–23 Eredivisie.
Benfica
On 10 June 2023, Kökçü joined Benfica on a five-year deal for a reported fee of €25 million, plus €5 million in variables. The sum represented a record signing for the Portuguese club and the league surpassing Darwin Núñez transfer from Almería to Benfica in 2020 for transfer fee of €24 million and a club record sale for Feyenoord becoming the club's biggest sale since Kökçu's former Feyenoord teammate Luis Sinisterra's transfer to Leeds United in 2022 for a fee of €25 million. Kökçü made his debut for Benfica in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, starting in a 2–0 win over…
Kökçü was a youth international for the Netherlands, having represented the Netherlands U18s, and Netherlands U19s. In July 2019, Kökçü announced the intent to play for the Turkey national team. He represented the Turkey U21s in a 3–2 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification loss to the England U21s on 6 September 2019. He made his Turkey national team debut on 6 September 2020 in a Nations League game against Serbia, he started the game and played the first hour of the 0–0 away draw. In June 2021, Kökçü was included in the list of 26 Turkish players selected to compete at UEFA Euro 2020. On 7 June 2024, he was named in the final squad of 26 players chosen by Vincenzo Montella to take part in UEFA Euro 2024. On 2 June 2026, Kökçü was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Club
As of match played 19 September 2026
International
As of match played 25 June 2026
Scores and results list Turkey's goal tally first.
- Club
- Feyenoord Rotterdam (2018–2023)
- Club
- Netherlands national under-17 football team (2017–2017)
- Club
- Netherlands national under-18 association football team (2017–2017)
- Club
- Netherlands national under-19 football team (2018–2019)
- Club
- Turkey national under-21 football team (2019–2019)
- Club
- Turkey men's national football team (2020–)
- Club
- S.L. Benfica (2023–)
- Club
- Beşiktaş J.K. (2025–)
- National team
- Turkey
- National team
- Kingdom of the Netherlands
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Dutch Footballer of the Year
Personal
Born in the Netherlands, Kökçü is of Turkish descent, from Suvermez, Emirdağ. He is the younger brother of the professional footballer Ozan Kökçü who plays internationally for the Azerbaijan national team. He is a lifelong fan of Beşiktaş and indicated a desire to play for the club he had been supporting since childhood.
Clubs
- Turkey men's national football team2020current
- S.L. Benfica2023current
- Beşiktaş J.K.2025current
- Netherlands national under-17 football team2017–2017
- Netherlands national under-18 association football team2017–2017
- Feyenoord Rotterdam2018–2023
- Netherlands national under-19 football team2018–2019
- Turkey national under-21 football team2019–2019
Played together with
- Abdelkrim El HadriouiS.L. Benfica · 1997–1998
Abdoulay DiabyBeşiktaş J.K. · 2019–2020- Abel XavierS.L. Benfica · 1993–1995
Adel TaarabtS.L. Benfica · 2015–2022Adem BüyükBeşiktaş J.K. · 2005–2008
Adem LjajićBeşiktaş J.K. · 2018–2022
Adolfo CalistoS.L. Benfica · 1965–1975
Adri van MaleFeyenoord Rotterdam · 1930–1940
Adrian IlieBeşiktaş J.K. · 2003–2004
Adriano Correia ClaroBeşiktaş J.K. · 2016–2019
Aggelos CharisteasFeyenoord Rotterdam · 2006–2007
Ahmed HassanBeşiktaş J.K. · 2003–2006
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Orkun Kökçü is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Süper Lig club Beşiktaş, whom he captains. Born in the Netherlands, he plays for the Turkey national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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