Who Is Bayer Leverkusen’s New Gem Sardar Azmoun?
Sardar Azmoun is a Bayer Leverkusen forward who signed for the club in 2022 from Zenit St Petersburg. Azmoun had previously played for Rubin Kazan and Rostov and boasts an exceptional goal scoring record at international level for Iran.
Iran isn’t exactly a hotbed of football talent. It’s rare to see an Iranian really flourish in the top five European leagues, but Azmoun arrives at Bayer Leverkusen with both hope and expectation that he can continue to score goals at a prolific rate.
Leverkusen are well-placed to qualify for the 2022-23 Champions League. Their attack has been potent all season, with Patrik Schick and Moussa Diaby being particularly prolific in domestic action.
Azmoun provides competition for places in the front line after scoring 10 in 21 appearances for Zenit FC in the first half of the campaign.
Sardar Azmoun might not be a name you’re familiar with despite hitting the headlines for his move to Bayer Leverkusen. Let’s learn a bit more about the Iran international and 2020-21 Russian Premier League Player of the Season.
Transfer
On January 22nd 2022, it was announced that Bayer Leverkusen had agreed a pre-contract agreement with Sardar Azmoun, who was due to be a free agent in the summer.
Just over a week later, Zenit FC confirmed that they had reached an agreement with Leverkusen for the move to take place immediately.
Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen’s sporting director, was excited to have the move brought forward.
“We’re very happy about the constructive agreement with Zenit and that we can now make use of Sardar’s qualities earlier than planned. He’ll be an asset for our attack and will significantly improve what is already a very good squad.”
Managing director for sport, Rudi Völler, is clearly keen to see what Azmoun can do for the Bundesliga giants.
He said, “He’s very quick, good in the air and has a good sense for space. But he’s not just a goalscorer. Sardar Azmoun also sets up a lot of goals and is an outstanding fit for the Werkself as a player who combines well with others.”
Exact details of Azmoun’s Leverkusen contract have not been disclosed other than the deal runs until the end of the 2026-27 season. It was reported that he was receiving £41,000 per week at Zenit FC, so it’s fair to assume a significant rise from that figure.
The Iran international is looking forward to testing his skills in a top league after excelling in Russia.
He said, “[It is] a step from the best club in Russia to one of the best leagues in Europe. Bayer Leverkusen have a really great squad. I’ve been keeping an eye on the club for a long time and am impressed by the team’s style of play.
“It’s incredibly exciting for me soon to be able to play in the Bundesliga. And I’m convinced I’ll make the team even better with my footballing ability.”
Career So Far
Joining Sepahan’s youth system in his teens, Sardar Azmoun was relatively late to the sport, having not started kicking a ball until he was nine.
Sepahan were playing well, and won the Iranian league in 2011-12, but Azmoun was not in the first team. Clubs from abroad had taken an interest in his performances for the youth sides, however.
Rubin Kazan showed interest in Azmoun in early 2013. Other clubs, including Sepahan, proposed senior contracts, but he opted to head to Russia with Rubin, and made his senior debut in July 2013.
By the second half of his debut year, Azmoun was attracting interest from all over Europe, including Arsenal, Juventus and Tottenham. He remained with Rubin, though, scoring seven goals for the club before joining Rostov in early 2015.
Given a greater opportunity, this is where he really flourished, scoring 25 times in 77 matches for the Muzhiki. Rubin re-signed Azmoun in the summer window of 2017, however, and he enjoyed another couple of solid seasons before switching to Zenit St Petersburg in 2019.
From a goal on his league debut for the club, Azmoun went from strength to strength. He scored 62 times in 104 appearances, and won three league titles.
Twice named to the RFS Team of the Season, he was also winner of Player of the Season in 2020-21 despite being pipped to the Golden Boot by Artem Dzyuba.
Alongside a late-blooming club career, Sardar Azmoun has built a stellar international CV. He debuted in 2014 and has scored 39 goals in 60 appearances since then.
Scouting Report
Standing at 6’1, Azmoun’s ‘Iranian Messi’ nickname is misplaced. He has also drawn comparisons to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. While those are more accurate than drawing parallels with the Argentine, Azmoun is far from Ibrahimovic.
He’s a slender build rather than a back-to-goal force. Unlikely to really bully defenders, Azmoun is more of a touch player, but a silky one at that with the vision and close control to generate chances for teammates.
In his Zenit stint, he recorded 0.8 goal involvements per game, demonstrating both clinical finishing and selfless play to operate as part of the frontline rather than the lone force.
Azmoun is comfortable with both feet, and though he’s not the strongest, he’s a decent aerial threat. Defenders need to be aware when marking the Iranian – he’s capable of dropping into midfield to link play, getting on the end of a cross or running in behind.
The first reaction to this move would understandably be that Azmoun will split the minutes with Schick. Both have enough versatility to play together if Gerardo Seoane desires, however, and that could be Azmoun’s best route to consistent playing time.
