Orkun Kökçü
A Dutch-born midfield conductor who captains a Turkish giant, embodying the modern footballer's fluid identity and leadership.
Born 2000 (age 26)·Footballer·Birthday: December 29·Generation Z
Biography
Orkun Kökçü’s story is one of dual heritage shaping a singular footballing brain. Born and raised in Haarlem, Netherlands, he honed his craft in the famed Feyenoord academy, choosing to represent Turkey, the nation of his parents, on the international stage. His breakthrough wasn't just about technical skill; it was about assuming command. At Feyenoord, he evolved from a creative prospect into the team's heartbeat, captaining them to a historic Eredivisie title in 2023, their first in six years. His subsequent move to Benfica and loan to Beşiktaş, where he also wears the captain's armband, underscores a career built on responsibility. Kökçü represents a new generation of players whose influence is measured in orchestration and calm authority as much as in goals and assists.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Orkun was born in 2000, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Orkun Was Born
The biggest hits of 2000
#1 Movie
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Best Picture
Gladiator
#1 TV Show
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Orkun's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2000Born
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2005Started school
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2013Became a teenager
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Could drive
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2018Could vote
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2021Turned 21
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 26 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Captained Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title in the 2022-23 season, ending a six-year drought for the club.
- Named the Eredivisie Player of the Year for the 2022-23 championship-winning campaign.
- Made his senior debut for the Turkish national team in 2021 after previously representing the Netherlands at youth levels.
Did You Know?
He is named after Orkun, a river in Mongolia, a choice made by his father.
His younger brother, Ozan Kökçü, is also a professional footballer.
He scored his first Champions League goal for Benfica against Inter Milan in 2023.
“I chose Turkey because my heart beats for the Turkish national team.”
