Ali Karimi (footballer, born 1994)


Ali Karimi is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder.

Club career

Sepahan

He joined Sepahan in the summer of 2012. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Sepahan under-19 football team. Karimi made his first league appearance in the 2013–14 season. He won the Persian Gulf Pro League with Sepahan in the 2014–15 season.

Dinamo Zagreb

2016–17

On 1 July 2016, Karimi joined Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb on a five-year contract for a reported US$400,000 transfer fee. He is the first Iranian to play in Croatian Prva HNL. Karimi made his pre–season debut on 2 July 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute against Romanian club CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu.
Karimi made his league debut on 13 August 2016, coming on as second-half substitute in a 2–1 victory against Inter Zapresic. He made his second appearance with the first team on 25 October 2016 in a 2–1 victory against Bjelovar in the Croatian Cup.
After only making one league appearance for Dinamo, in January 2017 Karimi joined Lokomotiva on a 6-month loan deal.

Loan to Lokomotiva

Karimi joined Dinamo Zagreb's feeder club Lokomotiva in January 2017 on a 6-month loan. He finally got a chance to show off his power and control in the midfield as he started 6 games for Lokomotiva, set up multiple goals and scored his first goal in the Croatian league for the NK Lokomotiva on 26 April 2017 in a 1–0 league victory against Istra 1961.

Esteghlal

On 15 July 2018, Karimi joined Esteghlal signing a one-year contract with the club.

International career

Youth

He was invited to Iran U-23 training camp by Nelo Vingada in preparation for Incheon 2014 and 2016 AFC U-22 Championship. He was named for the Iran U23 and on the final roster for Incheon 2014.

Senior

Karimi was called up to the national team in March 2014, but did not play a game. He was called up again to the senior Iran squad for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against India in September 2015. He made his debut against Papua Guinea on 10 November 2016 in a friendly match.
In May 2018 he was named in Iran's preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. but did not make the final 23 because of injury.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Sepahan
Iran U23