 Teymourian playing for Al Kharaitiyat in 2012 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Andranik Timotian-Samarani[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 6 March 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Tehran, Iran | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defensive Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Esteghlal | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–2000 | Ararat Tehran | ||
| 2000–2002 | Esteghlal | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2002–2004 | Oghab | ||
| 2004–2006 | Aboumoslem | 44 | (3) |
| 2006–2008 | Bolton Wanderers | 20 | (2) |
| 2008–2010 | Fulham | 1 | (0) |
| 2009 | → Barnsley (loan) | 11 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | Tractor Sazi | 21 | (1) |
| 2011–2012 | Esteghlal | 25 | (1) |
| 2012–2013 | Al-Kharitiyath | 30 | (0) |
| 2013– | Esteghlal | 16 | (1) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2005 | Iran B | 6 | (0) |
| 2005– | Iran | 76 | (8) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:06, 24 December 2013 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:34, 15 November 2013 (UTC) | |||
Andranik Timotian-Samarani (Persian: آندرانيک تيموريان, Armenian: Անդրանիկ Թէյմուրեան, more commonly known as Andranik "Ando" Teymourian, born 6 March 1983) is an Iranian-Armenianfootballer who currently plays for Esteghlal in Iran Pro League. He usually plays as a defensive midfielder, but can also play as a side midfielder. From 2006 to 2010, he played for three clubs in England, including two in the Premier League.
He is notably the only Christian footballer in the Iran national football team.[2] Teymourian played his first match for Iran in 2005, and has featured in their squads for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 and2011 Asian Cups. He has played a total of 74 internationals, scoring 8 times.
Club career
Early career
Andranik was born in Tehran, Iran to ethnic Armenian parents. He started with Oghab F.C. in Iran'sAzadegan League, and continued his professional career playing for F.C. Aboomoslem in the Iranian Premier League. In the 2005–06 season, Andranik made 26 appearances for F.C. Aboomoslem and scored one goal.
Bolton Wanderers
In late August 2006 he signed a two-year deal with FA Premier League club Bolton Wanderers, for an undisclosed fee, after being granted a work permit.[3] He scored his first two goals for Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup third round in a 4–0 win over Doncaster Rovers on 6 January 2007, in only his third appearance.[4] Andranik then went on to make his full Premier League debut against Fulham on 11 February 2007. He then made a number of impressive substitute appearances and became a firm favourite at the Reebok Stadium.[citation needed] His first two league goals came during a man-of-the-match performance against local rivals Wigan Athletic on 7 April 2007.[5][6]
Fulham
On 12 June 2008, Andranik signed a two-year contract with Fulham after moving on a free transfer.[7] He made his Fulham debut against Arsenal, in which he helped secure a 1–0 victory.[8] On 2 February 2009 he went on loan to Barnsley of the Football League Championship until the end of the season.[9] He later stated that he wanted to stay with Fulham for the 2009–10 season. On 1 July 2010 Fulham announced that Andranik had been released from his contract with Fulham.[10]
In July 2010, Teymourian was named in Blackburn Rovers' team to face Southport FC in a pre-season friendly.[11]
On 22 July 2010 Teymourian began talks with Sheffield United F.C. after turning down a tour with Blackburn Rovers across Australia. Blades coach Gary Speed is believed to have recommended Teymourian to Blades boss Kevin Blackwell as Speed and Teymourian played together at Bolton Wanderers.[12]However Teymourian began talks with Blackburn Rovers about a deal to stay with the Premier League club possibly on a short-term deal.[13] However, the move broke down as he was denied a work permit.
Tractor Sazi
On 19 September 2010 Teymourian returned to Iran to join the Tabriz-based club Tractor Sazi, the move marked the end of his career in England.[14]
Esteghlal
It was confirmed in mid-July 2011 that Teymourian had signed a contract with Tehran and IPL club Esteghlal. He made his debut for club against Sepahan. On 9 November 2011, he was named as one of the 10 finalists for the Asian Player of the Year.[15] He won the Hazfi Cup in his first season.
Al Kharaitiyat
Teymourian signed an one-year deal with Qatari side Al Kharaitiyat SC worth $1.8 million. After his contract ended on 1 July 2013, he left the club.
Return to Esteghlal
On 18 July 2013, Teymourian returned to Esteghlal after signing a one-year contract with the club.[16][17] He made his debut in a 1–2 loss to Sepahan. He scored a 40-yard goal in a match against Buriram United which Esteghlal won 2–1.[18]
International career
Teymourian has played for Iran's national football teams at the youth level, before being selected to take part with the senior side. He was a member of the national team during the 2006 World Cup. Pictures of an emotionally and physically drained Teymourian at the end of Iran's last game of the 2006 World Cup have begun to take the shape of Iranian football's most notable photograph from the event. Teymourian dropped to the grass and began sobbing while trainers attended to him. He has started to be recognized as a national hero in Iran because of the passion he showed for his country in the 2006 World Cup.
He played in the 2007 and 2011 Asian Cups, as well as the WAFF Championships. The midfielder cemented his spot as a starter next to Javad Nekounam, leading Iran to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
