Ryan Tafazolli
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Ryan Sirous Tafazolli[1] | ||
Date of birth | 28 September 1991 | ||
Place of birth | Sutton, England | ||
Height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) | ||
Playing position | Defender | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Peterborough United | ||
Number | 5 | ||
Youth career | |||
2005–2011 | Southampton | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2009–2011 | Southampton | 0 | (0) |
2009 | → Salisbury City (loan) | 9 | (0) |
2011 | → Salisbury City (loan) | 5 | (0) |
2011–2012 | Concord Rangers | ||
2012 | Cambridge City | 6 | (0) |
2012–2016 | Mansfield Town | 109 | (8) |
2016– | Peterborough United | 75 | (5) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:30, 5 October 2018 (UTC) |
Ryan Sirous Tafazolli (/ˈraɪən/ ry-ən siːruːs tɑːfɑzːəʋliː ; Persian: رایان سیروس تفضلی; Persian pronunciation: [siːruːs-e tɑːfɑːəʋli]; born 28 September 1991) is an Iranian–English[2] professional footballer who plays as a defender for League One club Peterborough United. Born in Sutton, London, he was originally a member of the Southampton youth system, and plays primarily as a centre back.
Club career
Early career
Ryan Tafazolli originally joined the Southampton Academy in 2005. He went on to captain the successful Under-18 youth team and also the reserve team.[3]
His first taste of first-team football came after he joined Conference Premier team Salisbury City on a one-month loan starting October 2009,[3] but his professional debut against York City on 10 October 2009 was a disaster, as he was sent off in the second half. Nevertheless, Salisbury City won the match 1–0.[4] Tafazolli later played five league games and one FA Cup fixture[5] before returning to his parent club in December.[6] After still not breaking into the squad at Southampton, he returned to Salisbury in 2011 for three months, playing three times in the FA Trophy.[5]
After being released by Southampton,[7] Tafazolli went on trial with Eastleigh[8] and Reading in an effort to win a contract with the club.[9] However, Tafazolli's best efforts to win a contract with these clubs failed.[10] He subsequently joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Concord Rangers, where he had a brief spell.[11]
In April 2012, Tafazolli joined Southern Premier League side Cambridge City on a short-term contract. He played six games for City, helping them reach the promotion playoffs.[12]
Mansfield Town
2012–13
Tafazolli signed for Conference club Mansfield Town on 20 August 2012.[13][14] Tafazolli made his Mansfield Town debut on 15 September 2012, in a 2–0 win over Braintree Town.[15] Despite an injured hamstring for most of the campaign,[16] during which time he only picked up five league appearances, at the end of Mansfield's title-winning season he was offered a new contract with the club.[17][18]
2013–14
At the start of the 2013–14 season, Tafazolli changed his shirt number from 32 to 12.[19] Tafazolli started the season on the bench, making his first start in a 3–0 win over Northampton Town on 21 September 2013.[20] Tafazolli soon suffered a knee injury that kept him out for a month.[21] He made his return on 29 December 2013, when Mansfield Town won 2–1 against Cheltenham Town.[22] From that point on, Tafazolli established himself and joined up with various partners in defence. His first goal for the club came on 8 March 2014 in a 2–1 win over Newport County[23] and he scored another in a 3–0 win over Rochdale a week later.[24] At the end of the 2013–14 season, Tafazolli won three awards; Fans' player of the season, Chairman and Directors' player of the season, and the Stags' Association player of the season despite only making 24 appearances.[25]
On 18 June 2014, Tafazolli accepted a new contract offered by the club.[26]
2014–15
In the pre-season of the 2014–15 season, Mansfield turned down a bid from Scottish Professional Football League side Dundee United for Ryan Tafazolli.[27] The club explained their decision on their website.[28] Tafazolli scored his first goal for the club at the start of the season in a 2–1 win over Oxford United.[29] Things went well until he injured a hamstring during a match against Accrington Stanley in early October, which Mansfield Town lost 1–0.[30] This left him on the sidelines until 15 November 2014 in a 2–0 loss against Shrewsbury Town.[31] Tafazolli was sent off after a second bookable offence in a 1–1 draw against Hartlepool United on 26 December 2014.[32] After serving a one-match ban, Tafazolli suffered a virus that kept him out for weeks.[33] He made his return to the first team in a 0–0 draw against Wycombe Wanderers on 24 January 2015.[34] Tafazolli made 42 appearances and scored once in all competitions.[35] At the end of the season, Tafazolli signed a contract with the club.[36]
2015–16
Tafazolli scored in a 2–0 league win over Stevenage on 29 September 2015.[37]
Peterborough United
On 6 June 2016, Tafazolli signed a three-year deal at League One club Peterborough United.[38] He scored his first goal for the club on 18 October 2016 in a 3–0 victory against Northampton Town.
Tafazolli was named as Peterborough's best defender for the 2016–17 season in April 2017.[39] In May he was also voted as Peterborough's best player of the 2016–17 season.[40]
International career
Eligibility
Since Tafazolli has Iranian Citizenship through Jus sanguinis principles, he is eligible to play for Iran. Tafazolli was born in the UK and is an English citizen; he thus had the choice of either playing for Iran or England.
When asked about his choice in a 2016 interview, he stated:[41]
First off, it would make my family so proud. It would be an honor to play for a football loving nation like Iran and at the same time serve my country of heritage. Playing under Carlos Queiroz would also be a dream – he has coached some of the best players in the world. I'm a physical center back and standing at 6'5 I can offer them a tough backbone that you develop growing up in England. To get called up I know I need to play at a higher level, perhaps league 1/championship being the minimum so hopefully when I make it there I've got a chance. I can also score a lot of goals for a defender as well. Playing for Iran would be amazing.
Personal life
Career statistics
- As of match played 13 April 2018
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Salisbury City (loan) | 2008–09[43] | Conference Premier | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
Salisbury City (loan) | 2010–11[5] | SFL Premier Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 3[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
Mansfield Town | 2012–13[44] | Conference Premier | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
2013–14[45] | League Two | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 | |
2014–15[46] | 36 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 42 | 1 | ||
2015–16[47] | 44 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 6 | ||
Mansfield total | 109 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 118 | 9 | ||
Peterborough United | 2016–17[48] | League One | 31 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[lower-alpha 3] | 0 | 38 | 3 |
2017–18[48] | 33 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6[lower-alpha 3] | 0 | 46 | 3 | ||
Peterborough total | 64 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 84 | 6 | ||
Career total | 178 | 12 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 211 | 15 |
- ↑ Appearances in the FA Trophy
- ↑ Appearance in the Football League Trophy
- 1 2 Appearances in the EFL Trophy
References
- ↑ "The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015" (PDF). The Football League. 16 May 2015. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
- ↑ Mahbod (29 April 2016). "Iranian footballers in Europe: Ryan Tafazolli". Iran Sports Press. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
- 1 2 "Loan Move for Ryan". Southampton F.C. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ↑ "Salisbury City 1–0 York City". BBC Sport. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Ryan Tafazolli". FootballDatabase.eu. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ↑ "Weymouth v Salisbury City preview / Tafazolli returns to Saints". Southampton Daily Echo. 11 December 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Southampton duo prepare for talks". BBC Sport. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Eastleigh hand trial to ex-Saint Ryan Tafazolli". Southampton Daily Echo. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Why Aaron Martin is a great incentive?". Southampton Daily Echo. 8 August 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Eastleigh Make Late Signings". The Official Football Conference League Website. 15 August 2011. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Ryan Tafazolli turns out for Southend United to boost hopes of return to league". Echo. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
- ↑ "Cambridge City v Swindon Supermarine". Cambridge City FC. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ↑ "Mansfield Town sign defender Ryan Tafazolli". BBC Sport. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ↑ "Mansfield Town sign former Southampton trainee Ryan Tafazolli". Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ↑ "Tafazolli set for debut". Mansfield Town F.C. 15 September 2012. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Cox will play strongest side v Slough". Mansfield Town F.C. 1 November 2012. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Mansfield Town give defender Ryan Tafazolli new deal". This is Nottingham. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ↑ "Mansfield Town: Lee Beevers one of 11 offered new deals". BBC Sport. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ↑ "Squad numbers announced". Mansfield Town F.C. 18 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Two changes for Cobblers clash". Mansfield Town F.C. 21 September 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Preview: Torquay vs Stags". Mansfield Town F.C. 18 October 2014. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Match Report: Cheltenham Town 1 – 3 Mansfield Town". Mansfield Town F.C. 29 December 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Mansfield Town 2–1 Newport County". BBC Sport. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Mansfield Town 3 – 1 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "In pictures: Annual Dinner Awards". Mansfield Town F.C. 8 May 2014. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Duo agree Football League deals". Mansfield Town F.C. 18 June 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Dundee United fail with bid for Mansfield defender Ryan Tafazolli". BBC Sport. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Stags reject bids for duo". Mansfield Town F.C. 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Mansfield Town 2 – 1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Defensive duo face spells on the sidelines". Mansfield Town F.C. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Team news from Greenhous Meadow". Mansfield Town F.C. 15 November 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "Mansfield Town 1 – 1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ↑ "I've experienced the difference the fans can make says boss". Mansfield Town F.C. 23 January 2015. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- ↑ "Mansfield Town 0 – 0 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- ↑ "Tafazolli casts eye to the future". Mansfield Town F.C. 1 May 2015. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- ↑ "Gaffer expects trio to stay". Mansfield Town. 9 June 2015. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- ↑ "Match Report". Mansfieldtown.net. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ↑ "Ryan Tafazolli & Andrew Hughes join Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ↑ http://www.peterborough.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=490942#ixzz4gXKmnOKJ
- ↑ http://www.peterborough.vitalfootball.co.uk/sitepage.asp?a=491526
- ↑ Zarandi, Dara (1 May 2016). "Ryan Tafazolli interview". Persianfootball.com. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
- ↑ Reed, Tom (12 August 2014). "Gripped by the Cobblers: The Tom Reed column – Northampton Town show match-winning credentials | Northampton Herald & Post". Northampton-news-hp.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- ↑ "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ↑ "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ↑ "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ↑ "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ↑ "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- 1 2 "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
External links
- Ryan Tafazolli at Soccerbase
- Profile at Peterborough United F.C. website