Iranian midfielder gets Blackburn Rovers trial

Lancashire Telegraph – BLACKBURN, Iranian midfielder Andranik Teymourian has been handed a chance to revive his Premier League career after starting a trial at Blackburn Rovers.

Teymourian has linked up again with Sam Allardyce, four years after being signed for Bolton by the now Rovers boss, as he bids to prove he does still have a future in English football.

The 27-year-old is a free agent after being released by Fulham this summer and will spend the next couple of weeks attempting to show Allardyce his best is yet to come. Teymourian is just one of several trialists expected at Rovers’ Brockhall training base over the next few weeks as Allardyce continues to search for the next Premier League bargain.

His pursuit of a third senior striker remains the priority, with just Nikola Kalinic and Jason Roberts in the ranks at the moment, but the addition of another midfielder is still in Allardyce’s thoughts.

With limited funds available, the signing of another midfield man could yet prove unrealistic but that won’t stop Allardyce running several trialists through their paces in the hope of unearthing another gem. Brazilian striker Rodrigo Branco is also already on trial at Ewood, scoring in the reserves’ 3-0 win over Vauxhall Motors on Saturday, with several more expected ahead of the new season.

Teymourian said last month: “My agent is studying my offers from English, Spain, Germany as well as Iranian teams for the time being. “Persepolis and Steel Azin have also contacted me but they have to wait. As I have already said I would rather continue my football in Europe.”

Teymourian was signed by Allardyce for Bolton from Iranian outfit FC Aboomoslem in August 2006. He scored four goals in 30 appearances for the Trotters before leaving for Premier League rivals Fulham on a free transfer in August 2008.

Knee surgery disrupted the Iranian’s early time at Craven Cottage though and he was loaned out to Championship Barnsley for the latter part of the 2008/09 campaign. He returned to London last summer determined to make an impact but fell out with boss Roy Hodgson and was released by the club with just two appearances to his name.

Sheffield United have already made their interest known in the Iranian this summer, while several foreign clubs are lining up for his signature, but Teymourian is keen to see if he can earn the chance to be reunited with Allardyce.