Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Persian: علیرضا جهانبخش, born 11 August 1993) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays for Dutch club NEC and the Iranian national team as a right and left winger. He represented Iran at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 AFC Asian 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 2015 Jahanbakhsh was voted as the best player of the Eerste Divisie for the 2014–15 season.[5]
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.[8][9] He officially joined the club on 1 July 2013 and made his debut against RKC Waalwijk. He scored his first goal in an 8–0 win over Harkemase Boys in the KNVB Cup.[10] On 1 December 2013, Jahanbakhsh scored two goals and assisted the other in a 3–2 league match win over AZ Alkmaar.[11][12] 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.[13]
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.[14][15][16] Alireza was originally voted the Eredivisie's greatest talent of the season before becoming runner-up to Memphis Depay.[17][18]
2014–15 season[edit]
On the opening day of the 2014–15 Jupiler League, Jahanbakhsh scored a goal in a 3–1 win against FC Eindhoven.[19] On 29 August, he scored two goals and provided two assists in a 4–1 win at Helmond Sport.[20] On 20 September, he scored against FC Emmen to help bring NEC to the top of the league table.[21] 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.[22][23] On 3 October, he scored a goal and provided an assist in a 2–1 win against Almere City FC to send NEC to the Eredivisie play-offs as quarter-season league champions.[24][25] On 17 October 2014, Jahanbakhsh was named the Best Player of the First Period of the 2014–15 Jupiler League.[26]
On 28 November, he opened the scoring with a volley and provided two assists in a 5–1 win over Jong Twente.[27][28] 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.[29][30] 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.[31][32]
After an excellent showing in the 2014–15 season with NEC, Alireza was linked with a move to several clubs, namely, Celtic, Standard Liege, Club Brugge, Anderlecht, FC Twente, Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord. [33][34][35][36][37] On 3 April 2015, NEC became champions of the Jupiler League.[38]
Following an excellent season which include twelve goals and eighteen assists, Jahanbakhsh was selected by fans as NEC's player of the season.[39] 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.[5][40]
Trouble is we can agree a fee with the club but if his agent wants him to go to Celtic or Norwich as reported and they offer more that's where he'll end up
Hope he comes to the Albion as he sounds decent but . . . Premier League money will probably win out yet again <sigh>
So they won the Dutch 2nd div - and only lost a small amount of games. Confused that he played against Ajax the year before - I guess cup match or they went down? Either way he sounds a good buy given he was player of the year for the team that won the Dutch2nd league...
Welcome Iranian Al (if he signs which is always doubtful of course)