Erdem Özgenç

Erdem Özgenç — Biography

Erdem Özgenç, born on August 22, 1984, in Hendek, Sakarya, is a Turkish former right-back who has moved into football management. He is 1.77 m tall. He started in the Yoncaspor youth setup, then played for İdealtepe, İstanbulspor and Fenerbahçe, where he was released when he reached adult age because he was not judged good enough for the first team. He turned professional with Maltepespor in 2004, making his first official appearance on September 5, 2004, in a 2. Lig match against Yalovaspor.

He joined Boluspor in 2008-09 and became one of their key players. Although a right-back, he scored vital goals, most famously on December 11, 2010, when two stoppage-time free kicks turned a 1-0 deficit against Mersin İdman Yurdu into a win. In 2011-12 he moved to the Süper Lig club Kardemir Karabükspor, and he made his Süper Lig debut on September 11, 2011. In 2014 he extended his contract to 2016 and became the team's second captain; in 2014-15 he played every minute in both European and league matches. In June 2015 he signed a 2+1-year deal with Bursaspor, moved to Karagümrük in 2019, and after leaving Gençlerbirliği found a new lease of life at Ankaragücü. He finished his career with 333 appearances and 23 goals.

After retiring he turned to administration. In May 2026 he became sporting director of Aliağa FK, and on June 27, 2026, only 49 days into the job, the two sides parted ways.