Late yesterday evening Brighton and Hove Albion finally announced the speculated capture of Iranian international Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
✍️ BREAKING…
Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Alireza Jahanbakhsh on a five-year deal for a club record fee.#AlirezaAnnounced 🇮🇷#BHAFC 🔵⚪️
Read ➡️ https://t.co/INlZNJinDT pic.twitter.com/gt1XPgUnLR
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 25, 2018
I can’t be alone in thinking ‘Thank……For That’ as it was really getting tiresome seeing a couple of hundred ‘announce’ responses to every single social media update the club gave in recent days.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder/winger arrives for a club record fee from Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar and he’s signed a five-year deal keeping him at the Amex Stadium until the summer of 2023. He’s also manager Chris Hughton’s eighth capture of the summer so far as we look to kick on in the Premier League season of 2018/19.
Speaking to the Official Site Hughton said of our new capture.
“We are delighted to welcome Alireza to the club, and we are particularly pleased to get this deal over the line. Ali is a player that we have been aware of and monitored for a few years, and his versatility will increase our attacking options within the squad. He can play in a wide position or central midfield attacking role, and I am now very much looking forward to working with him.”
👋 The new man has a message for you all.. 🇮🇷 #AlirezaAnnounced #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/Uk1q3w8CKP
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 25, 2018
Having begun his career with the Damash Gilan youth academy, he made his debut for Iranian second-tier side Damash Tehran back in 2010. He headed back to Gilan a year later and became their youngest ever playing, making his debut aged just 17.
He attracted interest from Holland based on his performances and made the switch to NEC Nijmegen in 2013, making 64 appearances for the side – 19 goals – and lifted the Dutch Eerste Divisie title in his final season.
He headed to Alkmaar is 2015 and he was their top scorer last season with 21 goals in 33 appearances.
💪 "I'm happy with my decision to move to this amazing club."#AlirezaAnnounced 🇮🇷#BHAFC 🔵⚪️
Read + watch ➡️ https://t.co/6lwiWMSspo pic.twitter.com/c1ImZRojEZ
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 25, 2018
41 caps for his country as well as featuring in all three of their World Cup games in Russia only adds to his stock as a player.