Sardar Azmoun

Sardar Azmoun
Personal information
Date of birth (1995-01-01) 1 January 1995
Place of birth Gonbad, Golestan Province, Iran[1]
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current team
 Rostov (on loan from Rubin Kazan)
Number 20
Youth career
2004–2008 Oghab Gonbad
2008–2009 Shamoushak Gorgan
2009–2010 Etka Gorgan
2010–2013 Sepahan
2013–2014 Rubin Kazan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2011–2013 Sepahan 0 (0)
2013– Rubin Kazan 27 (5)
2015– → Rostov (loan) 33 (9)
National team‡
2009–2011 Iran U17 6 (7)
2011–2014 Iran U20 18 (19)
2015– Iran U23 4 (4)
2014– Iran 16 (11)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 6 May 2016.
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15:18, 29 March 2016 (UTC)

Sardar Azmoun (Persian: سردار آزمون‎‎; Turkmen: Serdar Azmun, born 1 January 1995 in Gonbad-e Kavus)[3] is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Rostov on loan from Rubin Kazan in the Russian Premier League and the Iranian national team.

Club career

Early years

Sardar Azmoun started to play club football when he was 9.[4] He began his career at Oghab Gonbad of Gonbad-e Kavus.[5] He also played volleyball and was invited to Iran's national under-15 volleyball team.[4] After some years, he joined Shamoushak Gorgan, before joining Etka Gorgan, who were playing in Division 1 in Iran at the time.[6]

Sepahan

At age 15, Sardar joined Sepahan's youth ranks.[5] While Sardar appeared for the club during their preseason friendlies abroad in Turkey, he did not make a professional appearance for the club as Sepahan won the 2011–12 Iran Pro League and lifted the trophy.[4]

During the 2012–13 season, thanks to Azmoun's great display in Iran's youth team, his name started being mentioned among some of Europe's top clubs. It was during the winter of 2013 when he transferred to Rubin Kazan at the age of 17.[5]

Rubin Kazan

2012–13 season

In January 2013, he received an offer from Russian team Rubin Kazan to join them; meanwhile he had contract offers from two Iranian teams, Persepolis and Esteghlal, as well as a bid from Inter Milan, but he rejected the offers to work with Kurban Berdyev in the Russian Premier League.[5][7] In his first season at the club, he made 8 appearances for his club reserve team, scoring two goals and receiving one yellow card. He was also picked for the 18 man match day squad on a number of occasions, but failed to make his senior debut.

2013–14 season

Azmoun in training with Rubin Kazan

On 25 July 2013, he made his debut for the senior team in a UEFA Europa League match against Jagodina, coming on as a 73rd-minute substitute as Rubin won 1–0.[8] On 29 August, he scored his first goal in just his second senior appearance for Rubin in a 3-0 Europa League win against Molde, coming on as a substitute in the 64th minute.[9] He made his league debut with a goal and an assist on 6 October 2013, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute in a 5–1 win over Anzhi Makhachkala.

On 27 March 2014, English Premier League side Arsenal reportedly made a £2 million offer to Kazan for the transfer of 19-year-old Azmoun, sparking interest from A.C. Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Barcelona as well.[10][11][12]

On 30 March 2014, he scored his second league goal for Rubin Kazan in a 2–1 defeat to Rostov.[13] On 6 April, he scored a goal in Rubin Kazan's defeat to Zenit St. Petersburg.[14] In a match against Kyrlia Sovetov on 10 May, Azmoun came on as a substitute in the 55th minute, scoring a goal and providing an assist in a 4–0 win.[15][16]

2014–15 season

On 4 July 2014, Rubin Kazan announced through their official website that Azmoun will remain at the club despite his transfer offers from Arsenal, Liverpool and Zenit St. Petersburg. He scored Rubin Kazan's goal in a 1–1 draw against Hellas Verona in a pre-season friendly match on 27 July 2014. He scored his first goal of the season in a 1–1 draw against Terek Grozny during the 87th minute. On 30 October, he scored a goal in their victory over Spartak Moscow in the 2014–15 Russian Cup.[17]

Rostov (loan)

Azmoun playing for Rostov against Kuban Krasnodar on 16 March 2015

On 26 February 2015, Azmoun signed a three-and-a-half-month loan deal with relegation-battling Russian Premier League club FC Rostov until the end of the season.[18][19] On 16 March, Azmoun came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute and scored the match winner in the 88th minute against Kuban Krasnodar.[20] Azmoun again found the back of the net on 26 April 2015 in Rostov's 2–2 draw against Dynamo Moscow. His good performance earned him a place on the Russian Premier League Team of the Week.[21] He scored Rostov's winning goal in the relegation play-offs on 7 June.

2015–16 season

At the end of the 2014–15 season, Azmoun extended his loan deal with Rostov until the end of the 2015–16 season.[22][23] He scored his first goal of the season on 22 August 2015 in a 2–1 loss to CSKA Moscow. After his good performances in the first half of the season, Azmoun was linked with English Premier League club Stoke City.[24] Later in March of 2016 Azmoun was also linked with a move to English side Everton.[25][26][27]

International career

Youth

Asmoun broke out while representing the Iran U-20 side, becoming top scorer of the 2012 Commonwealth of Independent States Cup, scoring seven goals in six games.

On 8 October 2013, Azmoun played for the U-20 team during the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship qualification in Kerman. In a match against Lebanon, Azmoun captained the team by scoring two goals, assisting one and drawing a penalty.[28]

Azmoun was called into the U-23's team for Olympic qualifiers in March 2015.[29] He was the tournament's leading goalscorer going into the final matchday with 4 goals in 3 matches. As the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship was not held during the FIFA International Match Calendar, Azmoun was not released by Rostov.[30]

Senior

On 5 October 2013, Azmoun was called up to the Iranian national football team against Thailand by Carlos Queiroz.[31][32] He was selected in Iran's 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup by Queiroz.[33]

Azmoun made his senior debut on 26 May 2014 in a friendly match against Montenegro, coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute for Reza Ghoochannejhad.[34] However, Azmoun was not included in Iran's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, announced on 1 June 2014.[35] He scored his first goal on 18 November 2014 in a 1–0 friendly win over South Korea.[36]

He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Carlos Queiroz.[37] He scored a goal in the next match, a 1–0 friendly win over rivals Iraq. Azmoun then scored the winner in the second game of the Asian Cup with a great piece of individual skill against Qatar.[38] He also opened the scoring against Iraq in the quarter-finals with a header.

On 16 June 2015, Azmoun scored a goal against Turkmenistan in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier. On 3 September 2015, Azmoun scored his first senior brace in a 6–0 defeat of Guam in the World Cup qualifiers.[39]

Style of play

Sardar Azmoun has been praised for his aerial ability, creativity, and bursts of acceleration.[40] Azmoun has been referred to as a young Zlatan Ibrahimović.[41] Azmoun has also been called the Iranian Messi by mainly British media.[42]

Personal life

Azmoun is of Iranian Turkmen origin.[43][44] He speaks Turkmen and Persian fluently, and is fond of riding on horseback.[45] He decided to wear number 69 at Kazan as a tribute to his hometown's vehicle registration plate.[4]

He is the son of Khalil Azmoun, a former Iranian national volleyball team player who has coached several volleyball teams, such as Golgohar Sirjan and Javaheri Gonbad VC.[46]

Career statistics

Azmoun playing for Iran in a 2014 friendly match against Montenegro

Club

As of 30 November 2015[47]
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sepahan2011–1200000000
2012–1300000000
Rubin Kazan00000000
2013–14 1441221176
2014–15 1312100152
Rostov 113000012141
2015–16 2052100226
Total 511154215916
Career total 511154215916

1 includes 1 matche and 1 goal in Relegation play-offs.

International

International statistics
Team Year Apps Goals
Iran 2014 3 1
2015 11 7
2016 2 3
Total 16 11

International Goals

Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first.[48]
Under-17
Under-20
Under-23
Senior

Honours

Club

Sepahan

International

Iran U-17

Individual

References

  1. ↑ turkmenili
  2. ↑ "Sardar Azmoun profile". espnfc.com. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  3. ↑ http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/13682?cc=5901
  4. 1 2 3 4 Sardar Azmoun at Navad
  5. 1 2 3 4 Radio Farda
  6. ↑ IRNA
  7. ↑ "Azmoun to join Rubin Kazan". Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  8. ↑ Rubin - Jagodina
  9. ↑ http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2014/matches/round=2000468/match=2012465/postmatch/lineups/index.html
  10. ↑ https://metro.co.uk/2014/03/27/arsenal-make-2million-offer-for-iranian-lionel-messi-sardar-azmoun-4680498/
  11. ↑ http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2014/04/08/4739486/arsenal-barcelona-juventus-want-sardar-azmoun
  12. ↑ http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sardar-azmoun-transfer-arsenal-liverpool-3593434
  13. ↑ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2021162-arsenal-transfer-news-sardar-azmoun-claims-offers-from-gunners-and-ac-milan
  14. ↑ http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/723290/Live
  15. ↑ http://us.soccerway.com/matches/2014/05/10/russia/premier-league/pfk-kryliya-sovetov-samara/rubin-kazan/1483381/
  16. ↑ http://www.persianfootball.com/news/2014/05/11/azmoun-shines-nec-and-braunschweig-relegated/
  17. ↑ http://espn.uol.com.br/noticia/453934_na-prorrogacao-jovens-atacantes-classificam-rubin-kazan-para-as-quartas-da-copa-da-russia
  18. ↑ Sardar Azmoun Joins Rostov
  19. ↑ "Дзюба снова в Ростове!". http://www.fc-rostov.ru/ (in Russian). FC Rostov. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  20. ↑ http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/nationalleagues/nationalleague=russia-russian-football-premier-league-2000000024/matches/match=fk-rostov-kuban-krasnodar-300283450/index.html
  21. 1 2 http://football.kulichki.net/ruschamp/sim/15-25/
  22. ↑ http://footballitarin.com/link_page.php?id=231874
  23. ↑ "Ростов заявил Азмуна". http://www.fc-rostov.ru/ (in Russian). FC Rostov. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  24. ↑ http://www.varzesh3.com/news/1292782/%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%B7-%D8%B4%D8%B4-%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%86-%DB%8C%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1!
  25. ↑ http://metro.co.uk/2016/03/03/everton-want-transfer-of-iranian-lionel-messi-sardar-azmoun-5730987/
  26. ↑ http://www.newsweek.com/everton-wants-iranian-lionel-messi-433013
  27. ↑ http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/03/03/report-everton-interested-in-signing-sardar-azmoun-after-moshiri/
  28. ↑ http://www.the-afc.com/en/afc-u19-championship-2014-schedule-results.html?fixtureid=7584&stageid=293&tMode=C&view=ajax&show=matchsummary
  29. ↑ Azmoun and Jahanbakhsh Invited to Olympic Football Team
  30. ↑ http://www.the-afc.com/ir-iran-afc-u-23-championship-2016/blow-for-iran-as-nourollahi-ruled-out-of-afc-u23-championship
  31. ↑ Queiroz announced Team Melli players for Thailand match
  32. ↑ Azmoun invited to the Iran national team
  33. ↑ Queiroz names Iran squad
  34. ↑ http://ca.soccerway.com/matches/2014/05/26/world/friendlies/montenegro/iran/1658751/
  35. ↑ "Queiroz trims Iran squad to 24". FIFA.com. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  36. ↑ Iran 1 South Korea 0: Late Azmoun strike seals victory
  37. ↑ "Queiroz Names Team Melli Squad". afcasiancup.com. 30 December 2014.
  38. ↑ http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/01/15/qatar-vs-iran-2015-asian-cup-live-scores-blog/
  39. ↑ "WORLD CUP QUALIFYING - AFC 3/9/2015 9:30*". ESPN FC. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  40. ↑ http://www.just-football.com/2015/01/generation-next-sardar-azmoun-iran/
  41. ↑ http://jahanmagazine.com/sardar-azmoun-got-the-potential-to-become-a-great-player/
  42. ↑ http://metro.co.uk/2016/03/03/everton-want-transfer-of-iranian-lionel-messi-sardar-azmoun-5730987/
  43. ↑ Дар Сердара. Иранский туркмен — надежда казанского футбола - или просто лучший игрок Туркмении
  44. ↑ Айрат Нигматуллин, Джаудат Абдуллин, Рашид Галямов. (2012-12-17). "Курбан Бердыев: "Вы задаете вопросов больше, чем следователь вчера…" Часть 2-я". БИЗНЕС Online. Archived from the original on 2013-09-06. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  45. ↑ ДАР СЕРДАРА. ИРАНСКИЙ ТУРКМЕН — НАДЕЖДА КАЗАНСКОГО ФУТБОЛА
  46. ↑ 'سردار آزمون'، بازیکن تیم ملی فوتبال جوانان ایران در پایان تورنمنت جام دوستی روسیه با هفت گل زده عنوان برترین گلزن این مسابقات را از آن خود کرد (Persian)
  47. ↑ Soccerway profile
  48. ↑ http://us.soccerway.com/players/sardar-azmoun/178142/
  49. ↑ http://www.the-waff.com/
  50. ↑ http://www.rsssf.com/tablesc/cis2012.html

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