Esteghlal Khuzestan F.C.

Esteghlal Khuzestan F.C. was established just before the start of the 2011–2012 season by acquiring the license of Esteghlal Jonub Tehran F.C. who have just been promoted to the Azadegan League (Iran's 1st division). After an average 6th-place finish in the team's inaugural year in the Azadegan League in 2011–2012, the next season (2012–13) turned out to be a different year, with a 2nd-placed finish in group B, the club was promoted to the Iran Pro League for the first time in their history.

In Esteghlal Khuzestan's first year in the top flight they finished 12th, escaping relegation play-off by better goal difference. In the Hazfi Cup Esteghlal Khuzestan exited the competition in the Round of 32 after a shock defeat to Azadegan League side Alvand Hamedan. Esteghlal finished the 2014–15 season 14th, meaning they would have to play in a relegation play-off against the winner of the Azadegan League promotion play-off winner. Esteghlal Khuzestan defeated Mes Kerman 3–0 on aggregate meaning they had secured a spot in the 2015–16 Persian Gulf Pro League season.

Esteghlal Khuzestan players celebrating after winning league title in 2015–16 season

Before the start of the 2015–16 season Esteghlal Khuzestan signed many of Foolad Novin's players and were a major surprise, as they started well in the season. Esteghlal Khuzestan had four consecutive winning streak at the 12th week, which made Esteghlal Khuzestan finished champions of the first half of the season.[2][3] After a great result with Abdollah Veisi, Esteghlal Khuzestan managed to keep their shape at the second half of the season. On January 1, 2016 Esteghlal Khuzestan lost to Persepolis which made the race tighter for first place, and also made Esteghlal Khuzestan fall to second place, Esteghlal became first after 17th week. The head coach Abdollah Veisi later said that our main goal is to take place at AFC Champions League.[4] Esteghlal Khuzestan qualified to the AFC Champions League on 8 May, for the first time in their history. Esteghlal Khuzestan won the league title on 13 May after a 2–0 win over Zob Ahan.

Following a poor start to the following season, 6 points were deduced from Esteghlal Khuzestan by FIFA. Dariush Yazdi was sacked and Karim Boostani replaced the coach. Results ultimately did not improve under Boostani and he was replaced with Mohammad Alavi. Esteghlal Khuzestan were relegated from the Persian Gulf Pro League to Azadegan League on 3 May 2019, after a 4–2 loss to Esteghlal.

• Persian Gulf Pro League:
  • Winners (1): 2015–16

• Super Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2016

Esteghlal Khuzestan in 2015–16 season.

As of March 31, 2018
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Farzin Garousian 2 DF Ahmad Alenemeh 8 MF Mohammad Sharifi U19 (on loan from Saipa) 10 MF Ayoub Kalantari 13 DF Vahid Hamdinejad 14 DF Saeid Zare

No. Position Player 17 MF Reza Darvishi 18 MF Meysam Karimi 33 DF Mostafa Kiani 34 DF Mehrdad Pourabolghasem U21 67 MF Farid Amiri 77 GK Hossein Pourhamidi 99 MF Naser Ghalavand U23

For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers winter 2018–19.