Gökdeniz Karadeniz

Gökdeniz Karadeniz — Biography

Gökdeniz Karadeniz is a former Turkish international and a football coach, best known for his years at Trabzonspor and Rubin Kazan. After moving to Russia in 2008 he played in Rubin's first league title, became the club's top scorer in the Russian league, and in 2025 had a stand at the Ak Bars Arena named after him.

He began at the amateur club Yeniyolspor and joined Trabzonspor's academy in 1995. Used mostly in defensive roles at first, he was moved into attacking midfield in 2003-04 and, thanks to his understanding with Fatih Tekke, led the team with 13 goals. With Trabzonspor he won the Turkish Cup in 2003 and 2004. In March 2008 he signed a five-year contract with Rubin Kazan, won the Russian title in his first season and again in 2009, and on 20 October 2009 scored the goal that beat Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Later he added two Russian Super Cups and a Russian Cup. He retired in 2018 and his number 61 shirt was retired.

He made his Turkey debut against the Czech Republic on 30 April 2003 and scored 6 goals in 50 matches. He was in the squad that finished third at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, scoring once against Brazil and once against France, and was part of the EURO 2008 squad. His goal in the 4-1 win over Greece in Athens in 2006 is among those most often remembered. He started coaching in July 2023 with Rubin-2 Kazan and left that post in January 2026.