Alessandro Feridun Hojabrpour (Persian: آلساندرو فریدون هژبرپور; born January 10, 2000) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a central midfielder for Canadian Premier League side Forge FC.
![]() Hojabrpour with Pacific FC in 2021 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Alessandro Feridun Hojabrpour | ||
Date of birth | January 10, 2000 | ||
Place of birth | Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada | ||
Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | ||
Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Forge FC | ||
Youth career | |||
Italian Canadian SF | |||
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | |||
Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC | |||
2012–2017 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | ||
2017–2018 | Lokomotiv Plovdiv | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2019–2021 | Pacific FC | 56 | (1) |
2022– | Forge FC | 48 | (2) |
International career‡ | |||
2017 | Canada U17 | 3 | (1) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 7, 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of May 12, 2019 |
Early life
editHojabrpour began playing soccer at age three with the Italian Canadian Sports Federation.[1] In 2007-08, he participated in the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Prospects program, before joining Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC.[2][3] In 2012, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy Residency.[4] In 2017, after playing in a youth tournament in Bulgaria, he was recruited and joined Lokomotiv Plovdiv's U19 team.[4]
Club career
editPacific FC
editHojabrpour signed with a professional contract with Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League on January 15, 2019;[5] making his club debut on May 12, 2019 against FC Edmonton.[6] He was given his first start for the club in the next game during a Canadian Championship match against Cavalry FC on May 15, 2019.[7][better source needed] Hojabrpour re-signed with Pacific in December 2019 for the 2020 season[8] and in December 2020 for the 2021 season.[9][10]
During the 2021 Canadian Premier League season, Hojabrpour earned his first assist for the club on July 17 on a goal by Josh Heard against Forge FC.[11][better source needed] He scored his first goal for Pacific on October 6 against FC Edmonton at Clarke Stadium.[12] Hojabrpour helped Pacific reach their first CPL final on November 20, 2021, after a 2–1 extra time win over Cavalry FC at ATCO Field.[13] On December 5, 2021, Hojabrpour scored the winning goal to win Pacific the 2021 Canadian Premier League Final against two-time defending champions Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field.[14][15][16] At the end of the season, he was given the 2021 under-21 player of the year award.[17][18] After the season, he departed the club,[19] having made 63 appearances for the club across all competitions over his three seasons, scoring two goals and adding two assists.[20][21]
Forge FC
editIn January 2022, Hojabrpour signed with fellow Canadian Premier League side Forge FC ahead of the 2022 Canadian Premier League season.[22][23][24] Hojabrpour made his club debut on February 16, 2022, in a CONCACAF Champions League match against Liga MX side Cruz Azul.[25] He scored his first goal for Forge on April 16, 2022, in their 2022 home opener against Cavalry FC.[26] On October 23, 2022, Hojabrpour provided an assist in the semifinal to help Forge reach the 2022 Canadian Premier League Final.[27][better source needed] On October 30, 2022, Hojabrpour scored in the final for his second consecutive championship-winning goal of the Canadian Premier League Finals, helping Forge win the 2022 championship over Atlético Ottawa.[28][29]
On April 22, 2023, Hojabrpour made his 100th professional appearance in a 1–1 league draw against HFX Wanderers: in the process, he became the third player (behind Dominick Zator and Terran Campbell) to ever hit the 100-game milestone in all competitions for multiple CPL clubs.[30] On October 14, 2023, Hojabrpour scored a goal in the semifinal to help lead Forge to the 2023 Canadian Premier League final.[31] At the end of the season, he helped Forge win their fourth league title, which was his third consecutive title (Pacific in 2022 and Forge in 2023 and 2024).[32]
International career
editHojabrpour was born in Burnaby, Canada to an Italian mother and Iranian father, and also holds an Italian passport.[4][33]
In October 2014, he made his debut in the Canadian national program, attending a camp with the Canada U15 team.[1] He represented the Canada men's national under-17 soccer team in the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, scoring a goal against Cuba on April 25, 2017.[34][35]
Style of play
editHojabrpour can operate as a central midfielder or defensive midfielder.[6] He has been praised for his defensive abilities and reliability in midfield.[36]
Career statistics
edit- As of October 128, 2023[37]
Club | Division | Season | League | Playoffs | Domestic Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
Pacific FC | Canadian Premier League | 2019 | 22 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 24 | 0 | ||
2020 | 10 | 0 | — | — | — | 10 | 0 | |||||
2021 | 24 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 29 | 2 | |||
Total | 56 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 2 | ||
Forge FC | Canadian Premier League | 2022 | 26 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3[a] | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 34 | 3 |
2023 | 22 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | ||
Total | 48 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 61 | 4 | ||
Career total | 104 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 124 | 6 |
- ^ Includes appearance(s) in both the 2020 Canadian Championship, which was held in 2022, and the 2022 Canadian Championship
- ^ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League
Honours
editClub
editPacific FC
Forge FC
Individual
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Alessandro Hojabrpour at the Canadian Soccer Association
- ^ "Alessandro Hojabrpour Whitecaps profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021.
- ^ Pandher, Steve (June 28, 2017). "AFTN's Vancouver Whitecaps Residency 'Ones To Watch' 2017 (Part One – the U16s)". Away from the Numbers.
- ^ a b c Bauman, Martin (September 17, 2019). "'Always a ball within reach': For Pacific's Hojabrpour, soccer a family affair (Part 1)". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Laufer, Jesse (January 15, 2019). "Three Burnaby natives join Langford-based Pacific FC". Victoria News.
- ^ a b Bauman, Martin (September 21, 2019). "Pacific FC's Hojabrpour emerging as key contributor in Fall push (Part 2)". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ @Pacificfccpl (May 16, 2019). "Here's our Starting XI for tonight's #canChamp game! 🍁Watch live on!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Gangué-Ruzic, Alexandre (December 12, 2019). "Trust the Kids: Looking at what to expect from Pacific FC's re-signed youngsters". The Third Sub.
- ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (December 3, 2020). "Pacific FC brings back Hojabrpour, Wirth for 2021 CPL season". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Jacques, John (December 3, 2020). "Pacific FC Re-Signs Wirth And Hojabrpour". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "Match Analysis: Pacific FC 1-2 Forge FC". July 18, 2021.
- ^ Dheensaw, Cleve (October 6, 2021). "Strong start propels FC Edmonton to victory over Pacific FC". Times Colonist.
- ^ "HIGHLIGHTS: Pacific FC earn spot in final with 2-1 extra time win over Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. November 20, 2021.
- ^ Bashir, Raheem (December 6, 2021). "Alessandro Hojabrpour goal gives Pacific FC the North Star Shield". Last Word on Sports.
- ^ Jacques, John (December 7, 2021). "Right Place, Right Time: Hojabrpour's Path To CPL History". Northern Tribune.
- ^ a b Tierney, Mitchell (October 27, 2022). "Last year's CPL Final hero, Forge FC's Hojabrpour to play a big role again in 2022". OneSoccer.
- ^ Dheensaw, Cleve (December 15, 2021). "Pacific FC's Kah, Hojabrpour win CPL awards". Times Colonist.
- ^ a b O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (December 14, 2021). "Pacific FC's Alessandro Hojabrpour wins 2021 U-21 Canadian Player of the Year Award". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Thompson, Marty (January 25, 2022). "Terran Campbell & Alessandro Hojabrpour depart Pacific FC ahead of 2022 CPL season". OneSoccer.
- ^ "Forge FC Signs 2021 CPL Canadian U21 Player of the Year Hojabrpour". Forge FC. January 12, 2022.
- ^ Jacques, John (January 7, 2022). "Pacific Originals Hojabrpour, Campbell Set For Forge". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Jacques, John (January 12, 2022). "Forge Announces Arrival Of Alessandro Hojabrpour". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Urciuoli, Anthony (January 12, 2022). "Hamilton's Forge FC sparks rivalry with Pacific FC with signing of Alessandro Hojabrpour". In The Hammer.
- ^ Jacques, John (January 13, 2022). "Hojabrpour Details Forge Move: 'Best For My Career'". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Palermo, Adam (February 18, 2022). "Forge FC lose 1-0 to Cruz Azul in historic CONCACAF Champions League debut". Waking the Red.
- ^ Steiner, Ben (April 16, 2022). "Golazos Galore: Forge grabs late point against Cavalry in home opener". The Third Sub.
- ^ "Hamilton's Forge FC beat Cavalry, advance to CPL final - Hamilton | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022.
- ^ a b Jacques, John (October 31, 2022). "Hojabrpour Proves A Title-Winner, Twice". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Molinaro, John (October 30, 2022). "Forge FC shuts out Atlético Ottawa to win CPL Final". TFC Republic.
- ^ "CPL Centurions: Forge's Alessandro Hojabrpour hits 100 games for CPL clubs in all competitions". Canadian Premier League. April 25, 2023.
- ^ https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/forge-fc-beats-cavalry-fc-235910978.html [bare URL]
- ^ Milton, Steve (May 17, 2024). "Off to a good start, Hojabrpour will be seeing some old friends as Vancouver FC arrives in town". Forge FC.
- ^ Longo, Jack (January 7, 2021). "Thank you, Terran Campbell and Alessandro Hojabrpour!". Pacific FC.
- ^ "Canadians exit u17 tourney on winning note". Burnaby Now. May 4, 2017.
- ^ "Pacific Football Club bolsters lineup with trio of Canadian youth internationals". Pacific FC. January 15, 2019. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019.
- ^ Thompson, Marty (December 13, 2021). "CPL Awards 2021 set for Tuesday: View nominees here". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Alessandro Hojabrpour at Soccerway
External links
edit- Alessandro Hojabrpour at the Canadian Soccer Association
- Alessandro Hojabrpour at Soccerway