Iranian teenager on verge of joining La Liga champions

Tehran Times – MADRID, Iran U-20 international Saeid Ezzatollahi has accepted an offer to join Spanish giants Atlético Madrid. He will fly to Spain in the coming days in order to discuss the terms of his contract.

“Saeid will join the U-21 team at Atlético Madrid, but he could be promoted to the first team in the near future. He is just 17, and he has got a lot of talent and potential, that’s why Atlético Madrid chose him over a lot of other young talents,” the teenager’s father told ISNA.

Ezzatollahi who is now playing for Malavan, was one of the key players of the Iranian team in the 2013 U-17 World Cup, which was held in the United Arab Emirates in October 2013.

Ezzatollahi started his career with Shahrdari Anzali. He moved to the Malavan academy in the summer of 2007 and was promoted to the first team in July 2012. He made his debut against Rah Ahan on October 26, 2012 as a substitute just 25 days after his 16th birthday, making him the youngest player ever in the history of the Iran Professional League. He was also awarded the prize for Best Young Player for the 2012–2013 season.

His performance in the FIFA U-17 World Cup impressed European clubs like Besiktas J.K., FC Lugano, and FC Lausanne Sport.

In December 2013, Ezzatollahi seemed to be on his way to the Brazilian Serie A club Atlético Paranaense. However the rumor was rapidly denied by his management. In the first week of December 2013, FC Rubin Kazan showed concrete interest in Saeid Ezzatollahi and sent him a letter with an official offer.