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Talents Calendar
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Even though Deniz Dönmezer is only 17, he is already playing his third season in the Süper Lig. He is an example of a new, talented generation of goalkeepers emerging in Türkiye, and he has already exceeded them all. On matchday 37 of the 2023/24 season, Dönmezer made his debut at 15 years, 7 months, and 26 days old, making him the youngest goalkeeper in the history of the Turkish first division. With the score 1-2 between Adana Demirspor and Antalyaspor, he was brought on in injury time for Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev.
It was an even bigger surprise when Dönmezer started the new season as the new no.1 ahead of the more experienced Vedat Karakuş. The start of the season kicked off against giants Fenerbahçe (0-1) in front of 38,000 spectators. “Even though I only played briefly against Antalyaspor, it helped me overcome my excitement,” Dönmezer said to Transfermarkt. “When I found out that I would be playing 90 minutes against Fenerbahçe, I viewed it as the biggest opportunity of my life. When I walked onto the pitch, I just gave everything. It was an unbelievable experience.”
Not surprisingly, top clubs like Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, and Trabzonspor took notice. Clubs from outside Türkiye also took notice. Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, and Tottenham sent scouts, and Ajax contemplated making a €5m offer. “Even though I am still young, I am very proud that my name has been linked to big clubs,” Dönmezer said. “Since my childhood, it has been my dream, and I have worked very hard to accomplish it.”
The 190cm tall goalkeeper is a modern goalkeeper. Physically imposing, he isn’t afraid to get involved in the buildup play, his positioning in the box is good, and he has good reflexes. He is also very calm and has a quiet demeanor, which helps him handle high-pressure moments and sets him apart from players in his age category. “I am not afraid to make mistakes in training sessions,” Dönmezer said. “I prepare myself mentally, and that leads me to be more relaxed in games and have more confidence.”
Dönmezer: Manuel Neuer is my role model
His role model is Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer. It isn’t just the saves, but also the way he organizes the defense and his playing style that inspire Dönmezer. “Neuer is my idol,” Dönmezer said. “His preference to get involved in the game, and ability with the foot on the ball, plus the way he takes responsibility, inspires me.”
Even though Adana Demirspor were last in the league and penalized with a point deduction for financial irregularities, Dönmezer still stood out. With nine saves, he secured his team the first win of the season on matchday 16 against Besiktas (2-1). He was able to stop three of ten penalties. The whole situation at Adana Demirspor has certainly impacted Dönmezer. The young goalkeeper had to withstand significant pressure in many games and was unable to keep a clean sheet. Injuries have also forced him to take a few breaks. As a result, he finished the season with 18 games, conceding 46 goals.
As Adana Demirspor's situation in the second division didn't improve and the club quickly dropped to the bottom of the table, Dönmezer opted to return to the Süper Lig. But not to a big club. Instead, he joined Kayserispor, where he felt he could continue his career in a stable environment. In competition with Bilal Bayazıt and Onurcan Piri, he has managed just one start thus far. “I have a good relationship with Bilal and Onur,” Dönmezer said. “The work with them motivates me, and I like the competition. The relationship with them motivates me to get better every day.”
Still, the debut for his new club against second division Ankara Keciörengücü (0-2 a.e.t) ended in defeat. “Despite the defeat, it was still a big moment for me,” Dönmezer said. “I think I can improve my performance and my potential when I play more often.” One thing he can improve is the timing of his long balls, the timing of his buildup play, and his concentration.
The youth national team player also hopes to walk in the footsteps of famous goalkeepers such as Uğurcan Çakir, Altay Bayındır, Mert Günok, and Berke Özer. “The national team is my dream,” Dönmezer said. “I work hard every day and hope to one day experience reaching my goal.” The goalkeeper would certainly be open to moving abroad to continue his development.
Dönmezer: The dream is the Premier League
“I want to play in the biggest leagues in Europe, but first I want to continue my development at Kayserispor and fulfill my responsibility towards the people of the city who have gifted me with their trust,” Dönmezer said. Is there a dream move? “The Premier League, because of its competitiveness and the tempo, is the league that I would like to play in. I think it is the most difficult league in the world, and that motivates me.”
The goalkeeper believes that it was an advantage that he made his debut at 15. “I started to play professional football at a young age, which will give me an advantage to meet future challenges head-on. I hope that by the time I am 20, I will be playing in the Premier League. I am proud that my success has been recognized globally. I will work hard to ensure it remains that way.”
From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2008 and 2009. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.
