Saeid Ezatolahi
Ezatolahi training with Iran in 2018
Personal information
Full name Saeid Ezatolahi Afagh[1]
Date of birth (1996-10-01) 1 October 1996
Place of birth Bandar-e Anzali, Iran
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Vejle
Number 60
Youth career
2008–2010 Shahrdari Bandar Anzali
2010–2014 Malavan
2014–2015 Atlético Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2014 Malavan 19 (0)
2014–2015 Atlético Madrid C 5 (0)
2015–2020 Rostov 18 (2)
2017 → Anzhi Makhachkala (loan) 11 (0)
2017–2018 → Amkar Perm (loan) 16 (1)
2018–2019 → Reading (loan) 4 (0)
2019–2020 → Eupen (loan) 4 (0)
2020– Vejle 73 (8)
2022 → Al-Gharafa (loan) 4 (0)
International career‡
2011–2013 Iran U17 33 (10)
2014 Iran U20 4 (1)
2015– Iran 61 (1)
Medal record
Representing  Iran
CAFA Nations Cup
Winner2023 Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 December 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 January 2024

Saeid Ezatolahi Afagh (Persian: سعید عزت‌اللهی آفاق; born 1 October 1996) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Danish club Vejle and the Iran national team.

Ezatolahi came up through Malavan's youth academy and impressed from an early age, making his first team debut in 2012 and being the Iran Pro League's youngest ever player at the age of 16. Ezatolahi has earned several accolades, including the Iranian federation's young player of the year award. In 2014, he was named one of the most talented football players according to Wonderkids.[2]

Ezatolahi became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Iran national football team at the age of 19 years and 42 days after scoring in a 3–1 victory against Turkmenistan on 12 November 2015.[3] This record was broken by 17-year-old Allahyar Sayyadmanesh on 6 June 2019.[4]

Club career

Early years

Ezatolahi's father, Nader, and uncle Ghader Ezatolahi played for Malavan in the Takht Jamshid Cup. Saeid started his career with Shahrdari Bandar Anzali in 2008 as a youth player.[5]

Malavan

He moved to the Malavan youth academy in the summer of 2010 and was promoted to the first team in July 2012.

2012–13

Ezatolahi made his debut against Rah Ahan on 26 October 2012 as a substitute just 25 days after his 16th birthday, making him the youngest ever player in the history of the Iran Pro League.[6][7] At the end of the season, Tehran giants Esteghlal reportedly made an offer for him.[8] He was also awarded the prize for young player of the year.[9]

2013–14

He made his season debut as a regular starter against Saba Qom.[10] After giving an impressive performance at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in October 2013, European clubs like Besiktas, Lugano and Lausanne Sport were reported to follow the youngster closely. In December 2013, Ezatolahi seemed to be on his way to Brazilian Serie A club Atlético Paranaense, which was rapidly denied by his management. In the first week of December 2013, Rubin Kazan showed concrete interest in Ezatolahi by sending an invitation letter.[11]

2014–15

Ezatolahi was enrolled for Malavan's 2014–15 squad, but he did not play any matches due to finalizing his contract with Atlético.[12]

Atlético Madrid

2014–15

On 27 August 2014, Ezatolahi signed a one-year contract with Spanish side Atlético Madrid, with an option to extend for four-years following the end of the 2014–15 season.[13][14] He competed in the 2014–15 División de Honor Juvenil de Fútbol for Atlético Madrid.[15] He started in a 4–2 league debut win over Alcorcón on 29 November 2014.[16] He was also added to Atlético's 2014–15 UEFA Youth League squad.[17] He scored his first goal in a 3–1 victory against UDC Sur.[18] On 14 February 2015, he scored in a 4–1 win over CF Rayo Majadahonda.[19][20][21] Ezatolahi made his UEFA Youth League debut on 10 March 2015 in the quarter-finals, playing the full 90 minutes against Chelsea.[22][23]

In April 2015, Ezatolahi practiced with the senior Atlético Madrid team with manager Diego Simeone.[24][25] On 12 April 2015, Ezatolahi made his debut for Atlético Madrid C in the Tercera Division, playing 30 minutes in a 1–0 loss to Parla.[26] On 3 May 2015, Ezatolahi assisted a goal in Atlético Madrid C's 1–1 draw against Alcorcón B.[27] Ezatolahi's good performances with Atlético Madrid C drew interest from La Liga club Getafe CF.[24][28]

Rostov

2015–16

Ezatolahi before a Rostov match.

At the end of the 2014–15 season, Ezatolahi chose not to sign with Atlético Madrid B, and on 21 July 2015, Ezatolahi joined international teammate Sardar Azmoun at Russian Premier League club Rostov with a four-year contract.[29][30] Due to Visa issues, he could not play for Rostov until 2016, and in January 2016, Ezatolahi's Visa issues were resolved.[31] He made his debut for the club on 2 February 2016 playing in a 3–0 friendly win against Chinese side Jiangsu Sainty.[32] Ezatolahi scored his first goal for Rostov on 27 February 2016 in a 2–0 friendly win against Norwegian side Stabæk.[33]

Ezatolahi made his first team debut for Rostov on 12 May 2016 in a 3–1 victory against FC Dynamo Moscow.

2016–17

On 26 July 2016, Ezatolahi made his first start for Rostov in an official game in the first leg of the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round against R.S.C. Anderlecht and scored a goal in the 16th minute, equalizing the score to 1–1. In the second half of the game, another shot by him from outside of the box was denied by the crossbar, and the game ended with a score of 2–2.[34] He is the first scorer of the club in a European match (not counting the UEFA Intertoto Cup) and also the youngest ever Iranian player to score at the Champions League.[35] He scored his first Russian Premier League goal for Rostov on 20 August 2016 in a 3–0 victory over FC Tom Tomsk.[36]

His contract with FC Rostov expired in 2016. His agent Mehdi Hagitali said his new team would be a team where he would consistently play.[37] FC Rostov removed him from their Russian Premier League roster on 31 December 2016.[38]

Anzhi Makhachkala (loan)

In February 2017, Ezatolahi was loaned to Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala for six months. Ezatolahi made his first appearance for the club on 8 February 2017, coming on as a second-half substitute in a friendly against Dukla Prague. On 24 February 2017, he officially signed a new contract with FC Rostov and finalized the loan deal with Anzhi.[39] In his first league game for Anzhi against FC Rubin Kazan on 6 March 2017, he was sent-off in the 77th minute after receiving two yellow cards, with his team conceding a goal in an 0–1 loss shortly after.[40] During his loan, he started in only three league games out of 13 that Anzhi played in that span, making additional seven appearances as a substitute, with Anzhi achieving its objective of avoiding relegation from the Russian Premier League.

Amkar Perm (loan)

Upon returning from the Anzhi loan, he didn't make any appearances for FC Rostov in the first eight games of the season, and on 31 August 2017, he joined FC Amkar Perm on loan until the end of the 2017–18 season.[41] He made his first appearance for Amkar on 21 September 2017 in a Russian Cup match.

The loan contract is reportedly worth €1.3 million.[42]

Reading (loan)

On 31 August 2018, Reading announced the signing of Ezatolahi on a season-long loan deal from Rostov.[43] He had a couple of man of the match performances in his first few games before an unfortunate season-ending injury.

Eupen (loan)

On 28 August 2019, he moved on loan to the Belgian club Eupen.[44]

In June 2020, he returned to Rostov and became a free agent when his contract expired later that month.[45]

Vejle

On 20 August 2020, Ezatolahi signed a three-year deal with newly promoted Danish Superliga club Vejle Boldklub.[46]

On 19 January 2022, he was sent on a six-month loan to Qatar Stars League club Al-Gharafa.[47]

International career

Ezatolahi playing for Iran against Andrés Iniesta's Spain in 2018 FIFA World Cup

Youth

Saeid Ezatolahi participated with the Iran U17 national team in all group matches as well as the round of 16 in the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[48]

He was invited to the Iran U20 by Ali Doustimehr. He scored his first goal against the United Arab Emirates.[49] Ezatolahi played two matches for Iran during the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship.

As the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship was not held during the FIFA International Match Calendar, Ezatolahi was not released by Rostov.[50]

Senior

He was invited to the Iran senior national team camp by Carlos Queiroz on 16 May 2015.[51] Ezatolahi was included in the final list for the friendly match against Uzbekistan and the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Turkmenistan. He debuted as a starter against Uzbekistan on 11 June 2015 in a 1–0 win.[52] He scored his first senior national team goal during his fourth cap on 12 November 2015 in a 3–1 World Cup qualifying win over Turkmenistan.[53] He became the youngest goal scorer for the Iranian national team at the age of 19 years and 42 days.[3] In May 2018, he was named in Iran's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[54][55] He missed Iran's first group match against Morocco because of a red card in qualification but played other two matches against Spain and Portugal. He was ruled out of Iran's squad for 2019 AFC Asian Cup because of injury.

Personal life

Ezatollahi at Ferari film press conference during 2017 Fajr Film Festival

Ezatollahi is son of Nader Ezatolahi, an Iranian football coach in Malavan Academy who is also his agent.

In 2019, Ezatollah published a rap song supporting the Iranian team at 2019 AFC Asian Cup since he got injured playing for Reading before the cup and could not be with the team.

Career statistics

Club

As of 1 December 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals!
Malavan 2012–13 Persian Gulf Pro League 10010——110
2013–14 9010100
Total 19020——210
Atlético Madrid C 2014–15 Tercera División 5000—1060
Rostov 2015–16 Russian Premier League 1000—10
2016–17 1011061172
Anzhi (loan) 10010—110
Rostov 2017–18 000000
Amkar Perm (loan) 15110161
Total 36230—61453
Reading (loan) 2018–19 EFL Championship 400000—40
Eupen (loan) 2019–20 Belgian First Division A 4020—60
Vejle 2020–21 Danish Superliga 29430—324
2021–22 13141172
Al-Gharafa (loan) 2021–22 Qatar Stars League 403060130
Vejle 2022–23 Danish First Division 2024000242
2023–24 Danish Superliga 1010000101
Career total 145102110013117912

International

As of match played 14 January 2024[56]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Iran 201541
2016100
201790
201850
201920
202010
2021100
202290
202380
202430
Total611
Scores and results list Iran's goal tally. First, the score column indicates the score after each Ezatolahi goal.
List of international goals scored by Saeid Ezatolahi[57]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
112 November 2015Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Turkmenistan2–13–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Vejle Boldklub


Individual

References

  1. 1 2 "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: IR Iran (IRN)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 15. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. ↑ Stam. "Football Manager 2014 Wonderkids". FM Scout.
  3. 1 2 "Iran's Journey to Russia… Fans Pop Up for the Surf & Turf!". Persianfootball.com. 15 November 2015.
  4. ↑ لژیونرِ استقلال جوان‌ترین گلزن تاریخ تیم ملی شد
  5. ↑ گفتگو با سعید عزت اللهی عضو تیم ملی زیر 10 سال ایران. Malavan Bandar (in Persian). Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Holders Mexico begin title defence". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "Iranian Premier League Stats: 2012-2013 Season". iplstats.com. IPL Stats. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  8. ↑ باشگاه استقلال خواستار جذب سعید عزت‌اللهی شد/ درخواست 2 میلیاردی ملوان (in Persian). Fars News. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  9. ↑ بهترین‌های لیگ دوازدهم معرفی شدند. fararu.com/ (in Persian). Fararu. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  10. ↑ جزئیات مسابقه صباي قم - ملوان بندر انزلي. iranleague.ir (in Persian). Iran League. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  11. ↑ "Ezatollahi has received an invitation letter from Rubin Kazan". PersianLeague.com. Persian League. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  12. ↑ "باشگاه ملوان بندر انزلی". ffiri.ir.
  13. ↑ "Saeid Ezatolahi, la nota exótica de la cantera colchonera". mundodeportivo.com. Mundo Deportivo. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  14. ↑ "Ezatolahi signs 5-year-deal with Atletico Madrid". persianfootball.com. Persian Football. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  15. ↑ "Academia Equipos Atlético de Madrid Juvenil División de Honor" (in Spanish). clubatleticodemadrid.com. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  16. ↑ "Ezatollahi debuts for Atletico u-19, Jahanbakhsh shines". persianfootball.com.
  17. ↑ "UEFA Youth League - Atlético – UEFA.com". UEFA.com.
  18. ↑ "گلزنی سعید عزت اللهی برای اتلتیکو مادرید". ورزش سه.
  19. ↑ "Club Atlético de Madrid · Web oficial - El Cadete A goleó al Rayo Majadahonda (12-0)". Club Atlético de Madrid.
  20. ↑ "Jahanbakhsh shines, Dejagah, Ezatolahi score". persianfootball.com.
  21. ↑ "Instagram". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021.
  22. ↑ "UEFA Youth League - Saeid Ezatolahi – UEFA.com". UEFA.com.
  23. ↑ "UEFA Youth League 2015 - Chelsea-Atlético – UEFA.com". Uefa.com.
  24. 1 2 ""I have an offer from Getafe" – Saeid Ezatolahi". persianfootball.com.
  25. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. ↑ "90tv.ir :: شکست تیم سوم بزرگسالان اتلتیکو مقابل پارلا/ عزت‌الهی ۳۰ دقیقه بازی کرد". 90TV.ir.
  27. ↑ "90tv.ir :: تساوی اتلتیکو مادرید با پاس گل عزت‌الهی". 90TV.ir.
  28. ↑ "Getafe CF Online: Saeid Ezatolahi y Behnam Barzay, objetivos azulones". getafecfonline.blogspot.com.es. 29 June 2015.
  29. ↑ "Ezatollahi closes in on Rostov deal". persianfootball.com.
  30. ↑ "Premier Liga - Fotbal Rusko - Premier Liga: zprávy, výsledky, statistiky". eurofotbal.cz.
  31. ↑ "90tv.ir - وبسایت رسمی برنامه ۹۰ - حرف های جالب ستاره تیم کی روش که خاکپور و مایلی کهن او را حتی دعوت هم نکردند".
  32. ↑ "Матчи - Футбольный клуб "Ростов"".
  33. ↑ "0-2-tap for femte gang". 27 February 2016.
  34. ↑ "Rostov-Anderlecht game summary". UEFA. 26 July 2016.
  35. ↑ عزت اللهی تاریخ ساز روستوف شد
  36. ↑ "Rostov-Tom Tomsk game report" (in Russian). Russian Premier League. 20 August 2016.
  37. ↑ Футболист "Ростова" Эзатолахи продолжит карьеру там, где будет играть - агент (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 20 December 2016.
  38. ↑ "Ezatolahi Russian Premier League player page" (in Russian). Russian Premier League. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  39. ↑ Саид Эзатолахи продлил контракт с «Ростовом» (in Russian). FC Rostov. 25 February 2017.
  40. ↑ "Anzhi-Rubin game report" (in Russian). Russian Premier League. 6 March 2017.
  41. ↑ ЭЗЗАТОЛЛАХИ – ИГРОК «АМКАРА» (in Russian). FC Amkar Perm. 31 August 2017.
  42. ↑ "Standard Liege set sight on Saeid Ezatolahi: Report". 10 August 2018.
  43. ↑ "Royals sign Saeid Ezatolahi on season-long loan". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  44. ↑ "Саид Эззатоллахи перешел в бельгийский ФК "Эйпен" на правах аренды" [Saeid Ezatolahi joined Belgian club Eupen on loan] (in Russian). FC Rostov. 28 August 2019.
  45. ↑ "An Uncertain Future ahead of Saeid Ezatolahi". Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  46. ↑ "VEJLE BOLDKLUB HENTER IRANSK LANDSHOLDSSPILLER". 20 August 2020.
  47. ↑ "Vejle Boldklub sender midtbaneprofil til Qatar". Berlingske.dk (in Danish). 19 January 2022..
  48. ↑ "Saeid EZATOLAHI". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  49. ↑ پیروزی تیم فوتبال جوانان برابر امارات با گلزنی عزت‌اللهی. FFIRI.ir (in Persian). FFIRI. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  50. ↑ "Blow for Iran as Nourollahi ruled out of AFC U23 Championship - AFC".
  51. ↑ "Queiroz names extended Team Melli squad". persianfootball.com.
  52. ↑ "Uzbekistan vs Iran - Live Match - Football: The World Game on SBS". The World Game.
  53. ↑ "Iran vs. Turkmenistan - 12 November 2015 - Soccerway".
  54. ↑ "World Cup 2018: All the confirmed squads for this summer's finals in Russia".
  55. ↑ "World Cup 2018: Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz names final squad". BBC Sport. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  56. ↑ Saeid Ezatolahi at National-Football-Teams.com
  57. ↑ "S.Ezatolahi". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
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