Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Alireza Jahanbakhsh
Jahanbakhsh in 2018
Personal information
Full name Alireza Jahanbakhsh Jirandeh[1]
Date of birth (1993-08-11) 11 August 1993[2]
Place of birth Jirandeh, Gilan, Iran[3]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Playing position Winger, Attacking midfielder[2]
Club information
Current team
 Brighton & Hove Albion
Number 16
Youth career
2005–2007 Payam Alborz Qazvin[2]
2007–2008 Persian Qazvin[2]
2008–2010 Damash Gilan[2]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Damash Tehran 12 (0)
2011–2013 Damash Gilan 44 (10)
2013–2015 NEC 55 (17)
2015–2018 AZ 85 (34)
2018– Brighton & Hove Albion 7 (0)
National team‡
2010–2013 Iran U20 17 (11)
2011–2015 Iran U23 6 (1)
2013– Iran 42 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 09:58, 6 October 2018 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 9:16, 9 September 2018 (UTC)

Alireza Jahanbakhsh Jirandeh (Persian: علیرضا جهانبخش جیرنده‎,Persian pronunciation: [æli:ɾezɑ: d͡ʒæhɑ:n'bæxʃ], born 11 August 1993) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a winger and attacking midfielder for Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion and the Iranian national team. He represented Iran at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, 2015 AFC Asian Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Jahanbakhsh also represented Iran at the U20 and U23 levels.

In 2014 Jahanbakhsh was voted the second greatest young talent of the 2013–14 Eredivisie season.[4] In the 2017–18 Eredivisie season, Jahanbakhsh scored 21 league goals and became the first Asian player to become top scorer in a major European league.[5][6]

Early life

Alireza Jahanbakhsh was born on 11 August 1993 in Jirandeh, Gilan. His family left Gilan when he was two, and he spent his youth in Qazvin.[7]

Club career

Damash

Jahanbakhsh played most of his youth in Payam Alborz Qazvin and Persian Qazvin before joining the youth academy of Damash Gilan in 2008. Jahanbaksh started his career in 2010 with Damash Tehran, an affiliate of Damash Gilan in the 2nd Division. In 2011, Alireza returned to Gilan and at the age of 17. In 2011, Jahanbakhsh played his first game for Damash Gilan in the Iran Pro League against Mes as one of Damash's youngest ever players.[8][9] Alireza scored his first goal on 15 January 2012 in a 1–0 victory against Fajr. In 42 league appearances with Damash, he scored 10 goals.

NEC

2013–14 season

On 26 May 2013, Jahanbakhsh reached a verbal agreement with Dutch Eredivisie outfit NEC for a three-year deal. This deal was subject to a medical examination and obtaining a visa and work permit.[10][11] He officially joined the club on 1 July 2013. He made his debut as a substitute in a league match against Groningen on 3 August 2013.[12] He scored his first goal in an 8–0 win over Harkemase Boys in the KNVB Cup.[13] On 1 December 2013, Jahanbakhsh scored two goals and assisted the other in a 3–2 league match win over AZ Alkmaar.[14] On 22 December, he scored and assisted at FC Groningen while providing a secondary assist on 15 February 2014 against RKC Waalwijk. On 22 March, when NEC were down 2–0 at halftime, Jahanbakhsh came on as a substitute after the half and provided an assist to Michael Higdon in their 2–2 draw at Heerenveen.[15]

On the final day of the 2013–14 season, Jahanbakhsh scored two late goals against Ajax to save NEC from automatic relegation, instead securing a relegation playoff spot.[16][17][18] Alireza was originally voted the Eredivisie's greatest talent of the season before becoming runner-up to Memphis Depay.[19][20]

2014–15 season

On the opening day of the 2014–15 Jupiler League, Jahanbakhsh scored a goal in a 3–1 win against FC Eindhoven.[21] On 29 August, he scored two goals and provided two assists in a 4–1 win at Helmond Sport.[22] On 20 September, he scored against FC Emmen to help bring NEC to the top of the league table.[23] Three days later, on 23 September, AJ scored a free kick in extra time and converted a penalty in their win against Ajax II at Amsterdam during the second round of the 2014–15 Dutch Cup.[24][25] On 3 October, he scored a goal and provided an assist in a 2–1 win against Almere City to send NEC to the Eredivisie play-offs as quarter-season league champions.[26][27] On 17 October 2014, Jahanbakhsh was named the Best Player of the First Period of the 2014–15 Jupiler League.[28]

On 28 November, he opened the scoring with a volley and provided two assists in a 5–1 win over Jong Twente.[29] On 1 February 2015, in his first game upon his return from the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, he scored a bicycle kick and was named man of the match in the 3–1 win over Helmond Sport.[30][31] On 13 February, he scored a goal and provided two assists in a 3–2 win over FC Emmen with another goal against Achilles '29 days later to bring his tally to 4 goals in 5 consecutive matches after the Asian Cup.[32][33]

At the end of the season, Jahanbakhsh was selected by fans as NEC's player of the season.[34] On 12 May 2015 Jahanbakhsh was voted as the Eerste Divisie's best player for the 2014–15 season, with twelve goals and eighteen assists in the league.[35][36]

AZ

2015–16 season

On 3 August 2015, Jahanbakhsh signed a five–year contract with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.[37][38] He was given number nine as his jersey number, and made his Eredivisie debut for AZ on 12 September 2015 in a 3–1 win over De Graafschap.[39] Jahanbakhsh made his UEFA Europa League debut in a 2–1 group stage win over Athletic Bilbao on 1 October 2015.[40] Alireza recorded his first assist for AZ on 21 November 2015 in a 3–1 victory against Heerenveen. Jahanbakhsh scored his first goal for AZ on 30 January 2016 in a match against his former club NEC.[41] He scored his second goal of the season and also recorded his fourth assist on 13 February 2016 in a 6–3 victory over Heracles Almelo.

2016–17 season

In June 2016 Jahanbakhsh switched from number 9 to number 7 for the upcoming 2016–17 season.[42] On 2 July 2016, in AZ's first preseason match, Jahanbakhsh recorded a goal and an assist in his teams 5–1 victory. On 28 August he scored his first goal of the season against FC Utrecht. The match was ended 2-1 which Jahanbakhsh scored the winning goal.

On 13 January 2017, Jahanbakhsh scored a brace and recorded an assist, as well as being named man of the match in a 3–1 victory against Go Ahead Eagles. On 21 August 2016, he scored his first goal of the season in a 2–1 win over newly promoted Utrecht.[43] On 16 February 2017, he scored his first ever European goal in a 4–1 loss to Lyon in Round of 32 of the Europa League.[44]

Jahanbakhsh was named the best winger of the 2016–17 season in the Dutch League.[45]

2017–18 season

Jahanbakhsh in a pre-season warmup with Brighton in August 2018

Alireza scored a hat trick and recorded an assist on 18 April 2018 against Vitesse in the 2017–18 Eredivisie.[46] Jahanbakhsh scored another hat trick on the last match day to become the leading goal scorer of the Eredivisie season with 21 goals, and also finished joint third with 12 assists.[6] He became the first Asian player ever to become the top goalscorer in a top level European league.[47]

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 25 July 2018, Jahanbakhsh transferred to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed club record fee, signing a five-year contract.[48] He announced on his Instagram that he will wear number 16, the same number he used to wear in his first season at NEC.[49]

On 11 August 2018, Jahanbakhsh made his debut for Brighton as a substitute in the club's opening match of the Premier League season against Watford.[50]

International career

Jahanbakhsh playing for Iran in a friendly match against Montenegro, 26 May 2014

Youth

Jahanbakhsh was part of the squad that played at the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship in China, playing in two games. Being only 16 at the start of the championships in 2010, he continued at the same age group, captaining the national under-20 team for their successful 2012 AFC U-19 Championship qualification by scoring 5 goals in four appearances. At the championships, he added two more to his tally against the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.[51]

Jahanbakhsh was called into Iran's Olympic qualifiers in March 2015 and was named team captain.[52] With the presence of Jahanbakhsh the under-23 team qualified to the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship in Qatar. As the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship was not held during the FIFA International Match Calendar, Jahanbakhsh was not released by AZ Alkmaar.[53]

Senior team

Alireza Jahanbakhsh playing for Iran in a friendly match against Turkey, 2018

On 5 October 2013, Jahanbakhsh was called up to Team Melli in a 2015 Asian Cup qualifier against Thailand by manager Carlos Queiroz, and he served his first cap as a substitute in the 82nd minute.[54][55] His first national team goal came in his second game on 15 November in a 3–0 win at Thailand.[56] On 1 June 2014, he was called into Iran's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad by Carlos Queiroz.[57] He played in all three matches against Nigeria, Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Queiroz.[58]

Jahanbakhsh in Iran training before 2018 FIFA World Cup

Jahanbakhsh scored Iran's second goal in June 2016 in a 2–0 World Cup qualifier victory against Qatar.

In May 2018, he was named in Iran's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[59] He played all three group matches against Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

Style of play

Jahanbakhsh has been compared to Iranian legend Mehdi Mahdavikia.[60] He has been praised for his assisting ability and has been described as a technically gifted player who is able to use both feet.[61] In Holland, Jahanbakhsh established himself as a dangerous and pacy player.[62] In several interviews Jahanbakhsh revealed his life time dream is to play in Bundesliga, although there is huge interest in him from Italian and English sides declaring that as a kid he grew up watching his idols Ali Daei, Ali Karimi and Vahid Hashemian play for Bayern Munich and Mehdi Mahdavikia for Hamburger SV.[63][64]

Outside football

Sponsorship

Jahanbakhsh is outfitted by German sportswear manufacturer Adidas.[65]

Career statistics

Club

As of 22 September 2018[66][67]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Damash Tehran2010–112nd Division12000—120
Damash Gilan2011–12Pro League16220—182
2012–1328841—329
Total441061—5011
NEC2013–14Eredivisie27541— 2[nb 1]0336
2014–15Eerste Divisie281231—3113
Total551772— 206419
AZ2015–16Eredivisie23330—3[lower-alpha 1]0— 293
2016–17291040—9[lower-alpha 1]11[nb 1]14312
2017–18332161—3922
Total8534131—1211111137
Brighton & Hove Albion2018–19Premier League500010—60
Career total 20161264101213124367
  1. 1 2 Appearances in UEFA Europa League
Notes
  1. 1 2 Includes Eredivisie playoffs

International

As of 8 September 2018[68]
Iran national team
YearAppsGoals
201331
201480
201560
201692
201781
201880
Total424

International goals

Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first.[69]

International goals

Honours

Club

NEC

AZ

International

Iran U20

Individual

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Alireza Jahanbakhsh at Navad
  3. ↑ "Alireza Jahanbakhsh interview July 14, 2014". Retrieved 12 August 2014 – via YouTube.
  4. ↑ "Grootste talent 2013-2014". www.voetbalhubb.nl (in Dutch).
  5. ↑ "Jahanbakhsh Becomes First Asian Top Scorer of Major European Leagues". 6 May 2018.
  6. 1 2 "Iran's Alireza Jahanbakhsh finishes as Eredivisie top scorer". FOX Sports Asia. 6 May 2018.
  7. ↑ "جهانبخش: منتظر یک ترانسفر خیلی بزرگم :: ورزش سه". varzesh3.com.
  8. ↑ "Iranian Premier League Stats: 2011-2012 Season". Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  9. ↑ Saleh Doosti (25 February 2014). "Alireza Jahanbakhsh Thrilled After Being Called Into Iran Squad | Angle Chronicle - Part 240". Angle Chronicle. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  10. ↑ "NEC bereikt mondelinge overeenkomst met Iraniër Jahanbakhsh". Nec-nijmegen.nl. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "Alireza Jahanbakhsh joins the Dutch premier league (Eredivisie) VIDEO+PHOTO". Persianleague.com. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  12. ↑ "NEC Nijmegen vs. FC Groningen - Football Match Report". ESPN. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  13. ↑ "Jahanbakhsh scores maiden goal in the Netherlands [VIDEO]". Persianfootball.com. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  14. ↑ "Alireza Jahanbakhsh scores a brace, assists one [VIDEO]". Persianfootball.com. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  15. ↑ "sc Heerenveen v NEC | Eredivisie 2013-2014 - Yahoo Eurosport UK". Yahoo!. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  16. ↑ "Eredivisie Wrap: Roda down despite victory, PSV gain fourth". Soccerway. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "Eredivisie: NEC Nijmegen beat Ajax to survive, Roda relegated". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  18. ↑ "NEC face play-off, Roda relegated". FIFA. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  19. ↑ "Grootste talent 2013-2014". Bestevoetballers.nl. 1 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  20. ↑ "Jahanbakhsh voted best young talent in the Netherlands". TeamMelli. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  21. ↑ "Jahanbakhsh scores in NEC's Jupiler League opener". Persianfootball.com. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  22. ↑ "NEC heeft alles weer op een rijtje in Helmond". www.bndestem.nl (in Dutch).
  23. ↑ http://www.omroepgelderland.nl/web/nieuws-1/2069969/simpele-zege-nec-op-zwak-emmen-40.htm#.VB5WUPldWSo
  24. ↑ "NEC komt met schrik vrij bij amateurs Ajax".
  25. ↑ A Avesta (24 September 2014). "Alireza Jahanbakhsh goal against Jong Ajax" – via YouTube.
  26. ↑ "Eerste Bronzen Stier naar Nijmegen" (in Dutch). JupilerLeague.nl. 3 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  27. ↑ "Jahanbahksh leads NEC to promotion playoff [VIDEO]". persianfootball.com.
  28. 1 2 "Jahanbakhsh beste speler Jupiler League" (in Dutch). elfvoetbal.nl. 18 October 2014.
  29. ↑ "{title}". Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  30. ↑ "N.E.C. wint met 3-1 thuis van Helmond Sport".
  31. ↑ "N.E.C. TV: Reacties Ruud Brood en Alireza Jahanbakhsh na N.E.C.-Helmond Sport".
  32. ↑ "N.E.C. sleept overwinning uit het vuur in Emmen". Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  33. ↑ "Jahanbakhsh shines, Dejagah, Ezatolahi score". persianfootball.com.
  34. ↑ https://scontent-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11202954_827741697302688_5957564583891315961_n.jpg?oh=1cbf2281ba732e0f1b7630e3916b27f4&oe=55D419D5%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  35. ↑ "فوتبالی‌ترین - جهانبخش بهترین بازیکن لیگ یک هلند شناخته شد". footballitarin.com.
  36. ↑ "Jahanbakhsh wint Gouden Stier, De Jong beste trainer". www.vi.nl (in Dutch).
  37. ↑ "AZ haalt Jahanbakhsh voor vijf jaar naar Alkmaar".
  38. ↑ "AZ akkoord over Jahanbakhsh - AZ". www.az.nl (in Dutch).
  39. ↑ "AZ secure first Eredivisie win at De Vijverberg - AZ". az.nl.
  40. ↑ UEFA.com. "UEL - Matches". UEFA.
  41. ↑ http://www.azfanpage.nl/wedstrijden/12512/
  42. ↑ "شماره 7 به علیرضا جهانبخش رسید" [Number 7 will be given to Jahanbakhsh.] (in Persian). Varzesh 3. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  43. ↑ "FC Utrecht 1–2 AZ Alkmaar". ESPN. 21 August 2016.
  44. ↑ "AZ v Lyon". UEFA. 16 February 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  45. ↑ "Top 5: De beste buitenspelers". foxsports.nl.
  46. ↑ "AZ Alkmaar 4-3 Vitesse - Eredivisie 2017/2018 Live".
  47. ↑ "Alireza Jahanbakhsh Wins Eredivisie Golden Boot". Tasnim News Agency. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  48. ↑ "ALBION SIGN IRAN INTERNATIONAL FOR CLUB RECORD FEE". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  49. ↑ "علیرضا جهانبخش پیراهن شماره 16 برایتون را بر تن خواهد کرد" [Alireza Jahanbakhsh will wear number 16 at Brighton] (in Persian). Tarafdari. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  50. ↑ "Watford 2–0 Brighton". BBC Spor. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  51. ↑ "World Cup Scout". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  52. ↑ "Azmoun and Jahanbakhsh Invited to Olympic Football Team". persianfootball.com.
  53. ↑ "The AFC.com - The Asian Football Confederation". the-afc.com.
  54. ↑ "Queiroz announced Team Melli players for Thailand match". Varzesh3.com. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  55. ↑ "Jahanbakhsh invited to the Iran national team". Goal.com. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  56. ↑ "Match: Thailand v Iran – AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers". ESPN FC. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  57. ↑ "Queiroz trims Iran squad to 24". FIFA. 1 June 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  58. ↑ "Queiroz Names Team Melli Squad". afcasiancup.com. 30 December 2014. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015.
  59. ↑ "World Cup 2018: Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz names final squad". BBC Sport. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  60. ↑ "Alireza Jahanbakhsh: The eye-catching Iranian, in name and style". 26 April 2016.
  61. ↑ "Watford, Bournemouth and Burnley lead chase for £9m-rated Iran winger".
  62. ↑ "Cookies op gelderlander.nl - gelderlander.nl". gelderlander.nl.
  63. ↑ "It's my dream to play in Bundesliga: Alireza Jahanbakhsh". 21 February 2018.
  64. ↑ "Iran's Alireza Jahanbakhsh on Napoli's Radar: Report - Tasnim News Agency".
  65. ↑ http://www.footballbootsdb.com/player/Alireza-Jahanbakhsh/59589
  66. ↑ "Alireza Jahanbakhsh » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  67. ↑ "A. Jahanbakhsh". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
  68. ↑ "Iran - A. Jahanbakhsh - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway.
  69. ↑ "Jahanbakhsh, Alireza". National Football Teams. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  70. ↑ Jahanbakhsh wint Gouden Stier, De Jong beste trainer, VI.nl, 12 May 2015
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