Sardar Azmoun

Sardar Azmoun (Persian: سردار آزمون‎; born 1 January 1995) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg and the Iran national team.

Azmoun made his debut for the Iran national team in 2014 aged 19. He has been a regular with Team Melli playing in the 2015 and 2019 AFC Asian Cup as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup. As of July 2021, he has scored 37 goals in 55 games.

After Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Azmoun is the second-most expensive Iranian player of all-time. He is both the youngest Iranian to score in a Champions League game, as well as the Iranian record-holder for the most goals scored in UEFA Champions League with four goals.

Club Career

Early years

According to Sardar, he was first introduced with the sport when he started to kick balls when they were in a family trip in Turkmenistan when he was 9. He began his career at Oghab Gonbad of Gonbad-e Kavus. He also played volleyball and was invited to Iran's national under-15 volleyball team. After some years, he joined Shamoushak Gorgan, before joining Etka Gorgan, who were playing in Division 1 in Iran at the time.

Sepahan

At age 15, Azmoun joined Sepahan's youth ranks. While he appeared for the club during their pre-season friendlies abroad in Turkey, he did not make a professional appearance for the club as Sepahan won the 2011–12 Iran Pro League and lifted the trophy.

During the 2012–13 season, thanks to Azmoun's great display in Iran's youth team, Sardar became sought after by a couple of European clubs, namely Rubin Kazan. Azmoun became Iran's youngest Legionnaire when later that year he transferred to Rubin Kazan at the age of 17.

Rubin Kazan

2012–13 season

In January 2013, Azmoun received an offer from Russian team Rubin Kazan to join them; meanwhile he had interest from two Iranian teams, Persepolis and Esteghlal, as well as an offer for first team

This page also has a version in other languages :  Сердар Азмун (russian)