Mert Günok

Fehmi Mert Günok (Turkish pronunciation: [mæɾt ˈɡyŋok], born 1 March 1989) is a Turkish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for İstanbul Başakşehir.[3]

Mert Günok
Günok, pictured at national team, in 2013
Personal information
Full name Fehmi Mert Günok
Date of birth (1989-03-01) 1 March 1989
Place of birth Karabük, Turkey
Height 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)[1][2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 İstanbul Başakşehir
Number 34
Youth career
2000–2001 Kocaelispor
2001–2009 Fenerbahçe
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2015 Fenerbahçe 25 (0)
2015–2017 Bursaspor 20 (0)
2017– İstanbul Başakşehir 77 (0)
National team‡
2004–2005 Turkey U16 11 (0)
2005–2006 Turkey U17 5 (0)
2006–2007 Turkey U18 4 (0)
2007–2008 Turkey U19 10 (0)
2008 Turkey U20 1 (0)
2009 Turkey U21 3 (0)
2011–2012 Turkey B 2 (0)
2012– Turkey 21 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 5 December 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13 December 2020 (UTC)

Günok started his career with a short spell in Kocaelispor and joined Fenerbahçe S.K. in 2001, where he stayed until 2015, where he was promoted to professional status, played at Süper Lig level, and won 2 Süper Lig titles. He joined Bursaspor in 2015 where he stayed 2 seasons. In 2017, Günok signed for Başakşehir F.K. where he attained his first Süper Lig title of 2019–20 season.

Günok represent Turkey at international competitions to date, starting from U-16 level in 2004. He earned his first senior international cap in 2012. He was the first-choice goalkeeper of Turkey national football team during Euro 2020 qualifying stage in which they qualified for the finals.

Career

Günok started his football career with a short spell at youth level football at Kocaelispor between 2000 and 2001, during Mahir, his father was employed as goalkeeping coach, which he described as "playing in couple of games while my father was working there".[4] Then, he was discovered in Istanbul by Fenerbahçe officials, during a small field game in 2001, and joined the team where his football license was issued.[4] On 9 March 2008, Günok scored a goal from a penalty kick against Manisaspor in a PAF Ligi game, ended 2–0.[5]

Günok signed his first professional contract before 2009–10 season.[6] He started 2010–11 season as the third-choice goalkeeper, behind Volkan Demirel and Volkan Babacan of Fenerbahçe.

Günok in 2013–14 Turkish Cup encounter against Fethiyespor, on 4 December 2013[7]

He made his Süper Lig debut against Antalyaspor on 15 August 2010, coming on as a substitute after Volkan Demirel got injured at the beginning of the second half, earning a clean sheet.[8] Günok earned his place in starting line-up in following two encounter, respectively against Trabzonspor[9] and Manisaspor,[10] where he conceded 5 goals in total.

He was given a chance in starting line-up at mid-season exhibition match against Belgian side K.R.C. Genk, on 9 January 2013.[11] Due to Volkan Demirel's penal absence, Günok was featured in starting line-up of 2013 Turkish Super Cup against Galatasaray S.K. and chosen "Man of The Match",[12] as Fenerbahçe lost by 0–1 in extra time.[13]

In 2014–15 season, Günok played three back-to-back Süper Lig games in September, respectively against Karabükspor, Trabzonspor and Gaziantepspor, and he saved 8 out of 10 attempts made by opponents in these encounters, during Volkan Demirel's penal absence.[14]

After being released by Fenerbahçe after 2014–15 season,[15] Günok joined Bursaspor, on a 3-season-long contract, on 22 June 2015.[16] His contract was of €1.2 million per annum.[17] Chosen as first-choice goalkeeper in first halve of 2015–16 season season, Günok was replaced by Harun Tekin from February on by decision of manager Hamza Hamzaoğlu, as he conceded 32 goals in 19 league games.[18] In his second season at Bursaspor, he was deployed only in Turkish Cup encounters. At the end of season, his contract was cancelled in return of his outstanding wages from Bursaspor.[2][17]

On 31 July 2017, Günok joined İstanbul Başakşehir F.K..[19] In his first season at Başakşehir, he was the second goalkeeper behind Volkan Babacan and played only at Turkish Cup games and UEFA Europa League. He made his debut at Başakşehir on 30 November 2017, against Kahramanmaraşspor, at the fifth round game of Turkish Cup.[20] Putting an improved individual display in pre-season trainings, he was given the starting line-up status by team manager Abdullah Avcı from 2018–19 season on.[21]

Personal life

Mert Günok was born in 1989 in Karabük, Turkey, while his father Mahir Günok[22] was playing at Karabükspor. His mother Necmiye passed away in 2011, following an undisclosed decease.[23]

Günok married with Aslı Günok (née: Dalgalıdere) in Bursa, in 2015.[24][25] The couple welcomed their first child, named Alâ, in 2019.[26] In 2020, he donated 100 pairs of goalkeeper gloves to 100 schools.[27]

Statistics

Club
As of 13 December 2020:[28][29]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup1 Continental2 Other3 Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fenerbahçe 2009–10 Süper Lig 0010000010
2010–11 3020000050
2011–12 2040000060
2012–13[30] 60403010140
2013–14[31] 5010001070
2014–15[32] 90900000180
Total 2502103020510
Bursaspor 2015–16[33] Süper Lig 20020—10230
2016–17[34] 0070—0070
Total 20090—10300
İstanbul Başakşehir 2017–18[35] Süper Lig 0040400080
2018–19[36] 340002000360
2019–20[37] 3300012000450
2020–21[38] 1000011000210
Total 77040290001100
Career total 1220340320301920

    International
    As of 13 December 2020:[39]
    National teamSeasonAppsGoals
    Turkey
    201240
    201310
    201510
    201990
    202060
    Total210

    Honours

    Fenerbahçe

    İstanbul Başakşehir

    Controversy

    In October 2019, Günok stated open support for the Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria.[41][42]

    References
    1. "Mert Günok" (in Turkish). İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    2. "Mert Günok Galatasaray yolunda" (in Turkish). Hürriyet. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
    3. "FEHMİ MERT GÜNOK" (in Turkish). tff.org-. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
    4. "Fehmi Mert Günok: "Gelmek değil, kalmak önemli"" (in Turkish). Turkish Football Federation. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    5. "Fenerbahçe - Vestel Manisaspor TFF Match Details". Turkish Football Federation. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
    6. "Mert Günok, Medipol Başakşehir kalesine duvar ördü" (in Turkish). Anadolu News Agency. 23 July 2020. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    7. "Fenerbahçe AŞ - Fethiyespor Manisaspor TFF Match Details". Turkish Football Federation. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
    8. "Fenerbaçe - Medical Park Antalyaspor TFF Maç Detayı" (in Turkish). Turkish Football Federation. 15 August 2010. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
    9. "Trabzonspor - Fenerbaçe TFF Maç Detayı" (in Turkish). Turkish Football Federation. 23 August 2010. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
    10. "Fenerbaçe - Manisaspor TFF Maç Detayı" (in Turkish). Turkish Football Federation. 23 August 2010. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
    11. "Fenerbahçe 1-1 KRC Genk" (in Turkish). Hürriyet. 9 January 2013. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
    12. "Maçın adamı Mert!" (in Turkish). Sözcü. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
    13. "Galatasaray AŞ - Fenerbahçe AŞ - TFF Maç Detayı" (in Turkish). Turkish Football Federation. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
    14. "Mert Günok Kaleyi Devrediyor" (in Turkish). Cumhuriyet. 24 September 2014. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
    15. "Fenerbahçe, Mert Günok'u serbest bıraktı!" (in Turkish). Milliyet. 14 June 2015. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    16. "Mert Günok, Bursaspor'da" (in Turkish). Hürriyet. Anadolu News Agency. 22 June 2015. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    17. "Mert Günok Galatasaray'a gidiyor!" (in Turkish). Hürriyet. 26 July 2017. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
    18. "Mert Günok kesik yedi" (in Turkish). Hürriyet. 8 February 2016. Archived from the original on 19 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
    19. "Son dakika... Başakşehir Mert Günok'u transfer etti" (in Turkish). CNN Turk. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    20. "Kipaş Kahramanmaraşspor - Medipol Başakşehir FK - TFF Match Details". Turkish Football Federation. 30 November 2017. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
    21. "Mert Günok'un kaleyi bırakmaya niyeti yok" (in Turkish). Fotomaç. 19 September 2018. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
    22. "Fenerli yıldızın acı kaybı!" (in Turkish). Milliyet. 6 October 2012. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    23. "Mert Günok'un annesi vefat etti" (in Turkish). Hürriyet. İhlas News Agency. 24 February 2011. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    24. "Bekarlardan evliliğe 'Amin'" (in Turkish). Sabah. 31 December 2015. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    25. "Mert-Aslı Günok'un bebek alışverişi" (in Turkish). Milliyet. 10 October 2018. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    26. "Paris Panteri Mert Günok'un büyük sırrı" (in Turkish). Milliyet. 16 October 2019. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    27. "Mert Günok'tan 100 okula ikişer çift eldiven" (in Turkish). Milliyet. 23 April 2020. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    28. "Mert Günok @ Başakşehir FK" (in Turkish). mackolik.com. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    29. "Turkey - M. Günok - Profile". mackolik.com. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    30. "Games played by Mert Günok in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    31. "Games played by Mert Günok in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    32. "Games played by Mert Günok in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    33. "Games played by Mert Günok in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    34. "Games played by Mert Günok in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    35. "Games played by Mert Günok in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    36. "Games played by Mert Günok in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    37. "Games played by Mert Günok in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    38. "Games played by Mert Günok in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    39. "Fehmi Mert Günok - National Football Teams". national-football-teams. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    40. "Istanbul's Medipol Başakşehir wins first ever Turkish Süper Lig title". Daily Sabah. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
    41. Focus.de: Türkische Spieler salutieren vor Fanblock - Bundesliga-Profis weigern sich (German) October 16, 2019
    42. Sportbuzzer.de: Trotz UEFA-Verfahrens: Türkei-Spieler zeigen auch gegen Frankreich umstrittenen Salut-Jubel, October 14, 2019
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.