Martin Koopman was a Dutch right-back with an unusual profile for the position, known not only for his defensive discipline and consistency, but also for his impressive scoring ability, especially during his time at FC Twente in the 1980s. Between 1982 and 1990, he played 184 official matches (including the Eredivisie and Dutch Cup) and scored 45 goals — remarkable numbers for a defender, revealing a rare and valuable facet of his position.

Much of this performance is explained by the fact that Koopman was the team's official penalty taker, but that doesn't diminish the feat of, for example, being Twente's top scorer in the 1983/84 season, with 10 goals — a highly unusual feat for a defensive player. His style blended tactical seriousness, good positioning, and a sense of timing in attack, making him an unexpected weapon against opponents.

Before joining Twente, he had already played for Go Ahead Eagles, where he began his professional career, and then ended his career on the pitch as a player for Cambuur in 1992. Although he was always a defender on paper, his attacking presence and confidence on set pieces made him a valuable tactical asset.

Other Links:
Martin Koopman (1956) | Kentudezenog.nl | Dutch
Martin Koopman | FC Twente Statistieken | Dutch

Videos:
1982 FC Utrecht 3 - 2 FC Twente | Koopman is n° 3
Twente 3 - 2 Cambuur | Eerste Divisie 1983-84 | Koopman is n° 3, playing as SWP and scores a header.
Roda JC 1 - 1 FC Twente (1986-1987) | Koopman is n° 4
Roda JC 1 - 3 FC Twente (1986-1987)(Nacompetitie) | Koopman is n° 4
FC Twente 2 - 3 PSV | Eredivisie 1987-1988, 19 augustus 1987 | Koopman is nº 4