Profile

A diminutive, fleet-footed attacking midfielder often compared in playing style and appearance to Frenchman Ludovic Giuly, Gökdeniz Karadeniz first made his mark for Turkey with some outstanding displays at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup. Five years on, the 28-year-old will be keen to stage a repeat performance.

Born on the banks of the Black Sea, joined local side Trabzonspor as a junior and became symbol of club over eight-year period.

Back-to-back Turkish Cup wins in 2003 and 2004 – scored two goals in both finals against Gençlerbirligi SK (3-1 and 4-0).

Twice runner-up in Turkish Süper Lig, contributing 13 goals in 2003/04, 12 in 2004/05.

Scored in first competitive international – UEFA EURO 2004 qualifier v F.Y.R Macedonia in June 2003 and against Brazil and hosts France later in same month in Confederations Cup.

Finally left Trabzonspor at cost of €8.7m for FC Rubin Kazan in March 2008 and has helped ambitious club to top of Russian Premier-Liga, notably scoring twice in 3-1 win at defending champions FC Zenit St. Petersburg.

Did you know?

Karadeniz translates as 'Black Sea' in Turkish.