1. Andranik "Ando" Timotian-Samarani, commonly known as Andranik Teymourian is a former Iranian professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
29 Facts About Andranik Teymourian
1. 2.
Andranik Teymourian is notably the first Christian to captain the Iran national team.
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Andranik Teymourian was born in Tehran, Iran to ethnic Armenian parents.
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Andranik Teymourian started with Oghab FC in Iran's Azadegan League, and continued his professional career playing for FC Aboomoslem in the Iranian Premier League.
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Andranik Teymourian then went on to make his full Premier League debut against Fulham on 11 February 2007.
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On 12 June 2008, Andranik Teymourian signed a two-year contract with Fulham after moving on a free transfer.
7.
On 1 July 2010, Fulham announced that Andranik Teymourian had been released from his contract with Fulham.
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In July 2010, Andranik Teymourian was named in Blackburn Rovers' team to face Southport FC in a pre-season friendly.
9.
On 22 July 2010, Andranik Teymourian began talks with Sheffield United after turning down a tour with Blackburn Rovers across Australia.
10.
Andranik Teymourian began talks with Blackburn Rovers about a deal to stay with the Premier League club possibly on a short-term deal.
11.
On 19 September 2010, Andranik Teymourian returned to Iran to join the Tabriz-based club Tractor, the move marked the end of his career in England.
12.
Andranik Teymourian won the Hazfi Cup in his first season.
13.
Andranik Teymourian signed a one-year deal with Qatari side Al Kharaitiyat SC worth $1.8 million.
14.
On 18 July 2013, Andranik Teymourian returned to Esteghlal after signing a three-year contract with the club.
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Andranik Teymourian suffered a broken arm and was out of play for a month.
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Andranik Teymourian returned to the fields at the league's two final matches which Esteghlal finished the season at fifth place and missed next years' Champions League.
17.
Andranik Teymourian scored a free-kick on his debut in a match against Saba Qom.
18.
On 13 July 2015, Andranik Teymourian signed with Qatari side Umm Salal.
19.
Andranik Teymourian left the club halfway through the season in January 2016 after a disagreement with the head coach, Bulent Uygun, and with only 14 appearances.
20.
On 19 January 2016, Andranik Teymourian signed a six-month deal with Saipa, having previously been linked with Tehran-based club Esteghlal and Thailand's Buriram United.
21.
Andranik Teymourian played for Iran national teams at the youth level, before being selected to take part with the senior side.
22.
Andranik Teymourian was a member of the national team during the 2006 World Cup.
23.
Andranik Teymourian dropped to the grass and began sobbing while trainers attended to him.
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Andranik Teymourian has started to be recognized as a national hero in Iran because of the passion he showed for his country in the 2006 World Cup.
25.
Andranik Teymourian played in the 2007 and 2011 Asian Cups, as well as the WAFF Championships.
26.
On 18 May 2014, Andranik Teymourian captained Iran in the match against Belarus, making him the first Christian to captain the Iranian national team.
27.
Andranik Teymourian played the full 90 minutes in all three group stage matches, becoming the most capped Iran player at the World Cup with six matches alongside Mehdi Mahdavikia.
28.
Andranik Teymourian was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Carlos Queiroz.
29.
Andranik Teymourian died at the age of 46 in 2020, from a traffic collision.