Ryan Tafazolli

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 professional footballer who plays for EFL League One club Wycombe Wanderers. Born in Sutton, London, he was originally a member of the Southampton youth system.

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.

His first taste of first-team football came after he joined Conference Premier team Salisbury City on a one-month loan starting October 2009, 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. Tafazolli later played five league games and one FA Cup fixture before returning to his parent club in December. 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.

After being released by Southampton, Tafazolli went on trial with Eastleigh and Reading in an effort to win a contract with the club. However, Tafazolli's best efforts to win a contract with these clubs failed. He subsequently joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Concord Rangers, where he had a brief spell.

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.

Mansfield Town

2012–13

Tafazolli signed for Conference club Mansfield Town on 20 August 2012. Tafazolli made his Mansfield Town debut on 15 September 2012, in a 2–0 win over Braintree Town. Despite an injured hamstring for most of the campaign, during which time he only picked up five league appearances, at the end of Mansfield's title-winning