Iman Basafa (Persian: ایمان باصفا; born 3 January 1992), is an Iranian professional footballer who most recently played as a defensive midfielder.[2] He represented Iran national team at various youth levels.[3]

Iman Basafa
Personal information
Full name Iman Basafa[1]
Date of birth (1992-01-03) 3 January 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Isfahan, Iran
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Youth career
2009–2010 Shahrdari Bandar Abbas
2010–2011 Mes Sarcheshmeh
2011–2012 Steel Azin
2012–2013 Shahrdari Arak
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2013 Shahrdari Arak 1 (0)
2013–2015 Esteghlal 6 (0)
2014–2015Esteghlal Khuzestan (loan) 15 (1)
2015–2017 Fajr Sepasi 57 (9)
2017–2018 Malavan 22 (2)
2018–2019 Aluminium Arak 23 (3)
2019–2020 Pars Jonoubi 21 (1)
2020–2021 Machine Sazi 20 (0)
2021–2022 Bengaluru 7 (1)
International career
2007–2009 Iran U17 12 (0)
2009–2011 Iran U20 6 (1)
2011–2014 Iran U23 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:53, 11 February 2022 (UTC)

Club career

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Iman Basafa began his youth career at Shahrdari Bandar Abbas and signed his first professional contract for Aluminium Arak FC in July 2012.[4] He signed for Esteghlal FC in 2013 and later joined Esteghlal Khuzestan in 2014. His next destination was Fajr Sepasi Shiraz in 2015 and after two years, Basafa signed for Malavan Bandar Anzali in 2017.[citation needed]

In 2018, he returned to Aluminium Arak for a second spell with the club. However, he moved to Pars Jonoubi Jam after a year. In September 2020, he joined Machine Sazi Tabriz and later moved to India and signed with Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.[citation needed]

Iman Basafa has played in both the first and second tier of the Iranian league system. He is well-versed with domestic football in Iran and possesses many qualities learned from his experience there. He has made 104 appearances in the Azadegan League (the second tier), recording 17 goals and one assist in the process. The 29-year-old has also played over 64 games in the Persian Gulf Pro League (first tier), managing two goals and two assists.[citation needed]

Furthermore, Basafa has one AFC Champions League appearance, which was with Esteghlal FC. The midfielder has recorded over 12,116 minutes of football across his career and is no way past his best. Basafa has made the most appearances for Fajr Sepasi Shiraz (57) and also scored the most goals for them (9) among all his clubs.[citation needed]

Last season's performance The defensive midfielder turned out for Machine Sazi Tabriz in the Persian Gulf Pro League. He made 20 appearances for the outfit, clocking 1601 minutes of football. He did not score any goals and provided one assist. The outfit finished bottom, in 16th place, managing only 14 points in 30 games. Basafa also featured in the Hazfi Cup, in a 3–0 defeat to Foolad FC in the fourth round.

After his move to India, Basafa made his Indian Super League debut for Bengaluru FC on 20 November 2021 against NorthEast United FC in a 4–2 win.[5][6] On 24 November, he played the whole match against Odisha FC but they lost by 3–1.[7] He scored his first league goal for Bengaluru on 26 January 2022 against Chennaiyin in their 3–0 win.

Style of play

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Iman Basafa is a defensive midfielder. He likes to sit deep and protect the backline.[8]

Career statistics

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Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Iran League Hazfi Cup ACL Total
2013–14 Esteghlal Pro League 6 0 2 0 1 0 9 0
2014–15 Est. Khuzestan 10 1 0 0 10 1
2015–16 Fajr Sepasi Azadegan League 9 2 0 0 9 2
2016–17 26 7 0 0 26 7
2017–18 Malavan Azadegan League 22 2 1 0 - - 23 2
2018–19 Aluminium Arak Azadegan League 25 6 0 0 - - 25 6
2019–20 Pars Jonoubi Pro League 23 1 1 0 - - 24 1
2020–21 Machine Sazi Pro League 20 0 1 0 - - 21 0
2021–22 Bengaluru FC Indian Super League 3 0 0 0 0 0
Career total - - 144 19 5 0 1 0 150 19

References

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  1. ^ Player info and stats: Iman Basafa. Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  2. ^ "سازمان لیگ فوتبال ایران". iranleague.ir (in Persian).
  3. ^ "ایمان باصفا". www.ffiri.ir (in Persian). Archived from the original on 10 June 2013.
  4. ^ Player profile: Iman Basafa indiansuperleague.com. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  5. ^ ISL 2021-22 Bengaluru FC vs NorthEast United HIGHLIGHTS: BFC beats NEUFC 4-2 sportstar.thehindu.com. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  6. ^ "ISL 2021-22: Bengaluru FC Record Classic 4-2 Win Against NorthEast United". Outlook India. 20 November 2021. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  7. ^ "ISL 2021-22: Odisha FC boss Bengaluru FC to seal historic win". Olympics.com. 24 November 2021. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  8. ^ Player profile: Who is Bengaluru FC’s new signing Iman Basafa? Khel Now. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
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