Goalkeeper Irfan Can Eğribayat has expressed his gratitude towards Fenerbahçe SK and detailed the emotional challenge of playing against his former club. The 28-year-old, in an interview reported by Hürriyet, reflected on his four-season spell with the Istanbul giants.
Eğribayat stated clearly, "İrfan Can Eğribayat olduysam, bu tabii ki Fenerbahçe sayesinde oldu." (If I became İrfan Can Eğribayat, it of course happened thanks to Fenerbahçe). Now playing for Gençlerbirliği, the experienced keeper emphasised that facing his old team in the first week of the season was not easy. His move came after a difficult final season at Fenerbahçe and a subsequent stint at Samsunspor where he could not perform as desired.
How did his transfer to Gençlerbirliği happen?
The influence of manager Metin Diyadin was key in İrfan Can Eğribayat's move to Gençlerbirliği. The player recounted how Diyadin gave him tremendous confidence. Eğribayat said, "Buraya gelirken Metin hoca konuşmamızda bana inanılmaz bir öz güven verdi. 'Ben seni tekrar futbola kazandırmak istiyorum.' dedi." (When I was coming here, coach Metin gave me incredible self-confidence in our conversation. He said, 'I want to bring you back to football.'). He sees Diyadin as both a father figure and a commander for the team, and his wife also influenced the transfer decision. The successful performance of Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo Velho at the club last season provided additional motivation for Eğribayat.
What was the Jose Mourinho impact at Fenerbahçe?
His years at Fenerbahçe were a turning point in Eğribayat's career. He noted that Jose Mourinho, who he worked under there, gave him significant opportunities and support. Mourinho, who has now begun a new venture with Real Madrid, contributed to the goalkeeper's development. Eğribayat also cited German keeper Manuel Neuer as a role model, particularly for his mentality after conceding goals. To bolster his psychological resilience, he is working with a mentor, Prof. Dr. Turgay Biçer.
What is Gençlerbirliği's current situation?
İrfan Can Eğribayat's Gençlerbirliği have made a stunning start to the Süper Lig season. Winning their first two matches, the club sits top of the table with 6 points. This marks the first time Gençlerbirliği have led the league since the first week of the 2012-2013 season. Their closest challenger is Fenerbahçe, who trail the leaders by 3 points. Fenerbahçe SK are currently 8th, with 3 points from 2 games (1 win, 1 loss). They have scored 5 goals and conceded 4. Their top scorer this season is M. Greenwood with 2 goals in 2 appearances. The team's next league fixture is at home against 4th-placed Trabzonspor on 13 December 2026. You can follow the full match schedule on our fixtures page.
What are his national team dreams and future plans?
A major goal for İrfan Can Eğribayat is to earn a call-up to the Turkish national team. Having played for youth national teams from the age of 15-16, the keeper continues to work towards this dream. His club, Gençlerbirliği, face Erzurumspor FK in Ankara on Friday, 28 August, a match that offers a chance to solidify their lead at the top. You can check all the league standings and statistics on our standings page. For Eğribayat, in a critical period for both his club and his career, the focus is on translating the experience gained at Fenerbahçe into performances on the pitch.
