The 7 Best European Footballers to Have Ever Played in the Persian Gulf Pro League

While Iran’s top league may not have attracted such phenomenal European players as Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo, since its foundation on 2 November 2001, the Persian Gulf Pro League has seen numerous excellent European footballers playing for its clubs. Here is a look at our selection of the top 7.

7. Andrzej Bednarz

The Polish defender Andrzej Bednarz currently plays for the Faroese club B71 Sandoy. In 2009, Bednarz signed with Saba Qom FC of the Iran Pro League, which is, of course, now the Persian Gulf Pro League. However, he only made one appearance with the Iranian football team. A year later, he joined Zob Ahan Esfahan FC before transferring to B71 Sandoy in 2011.

6. Donovan Deekman

Striker Donovan Deekman currently plays for the Maldivian Club Eagles. Before that, the Dutchman played for various clubs, including the Persian Gulf Pro League team Naft Tehran. He only made three appearances with the club in 2015 before transferring to Holland club Telstar and then going to Club Eagles the year after in 2017.

5. Kyle Konwea

Swedish center back Kyle Konwea joined the Swedish club Assyriska FF in 2010. In December 2015, Konewa transferred to Siah Jamegan of the Persian Gulf Pro League, where he made eight appearances, before returning to Assyriska FF in 2016. If you’re also interested in Swedish football, you can use this site to check out the latest news and betting odds online.

4. Ronny Kockel

Before Ronny Kockel made his mark as a coach, he played for numerous German football clubs. And in 2008, the goalkeeper signed with the Iranian Pro League club Paykan FC, where he made eight appearances. Kockel is notable for being the first German footballer to play for an Iranian team. The 44-year-old presently manages the German team KFC Uerdingen 05.

3. Georgi Georgiev

Bulgarian goalkeeper Georgi Georgiev currently plays for Cherno More Varna and the national Bulgaria team. In 2019, when he earned his first cap for Bulgaria after playing a full 90 minutes in a friendly game against Paraguay. From 2015 to 2016, Georgiev played with the Persian Gulf Pro League team Gostaresh Foulad Tabriz FC, where he made 21 appearances.

2. Vladimir Koman

In 2020, Vladimir Koman signed with Hatta of the UAE Arabian Gulf League. But prior to that, between 2018 and 2020, the Hungarian played for the Persian Gulf Pro League team Sepahan, during which time he scored three goals. Koman also plays for the Hungary national team as an attacking midfielder and winger. Notably, Koman was an integral part of the under-20 national Hungary team, which finished third at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009. Out of 6 matches, the Hungarian scored five goals.

1. Anthony Stokes

Irish striker Anthony Stokes has played for various clubs over the years. He has also played for the national Ireland team. Stokes began his professional career with English club Arsenal, but it was his spell with Falkirk in 2006, where he scored 14 goals in 16 games, that brought him wider recognition. In 2018, Stokes signed with Tractor of the Persian Gulf Pro League. He proved he was worthy of the transfer, scoring on his debut match to net a 1-1 draw against Nassaji. Other notable appearances in the same year include scoring four goals against Esteghlal Khuzestan in a 6-0 defeat. Out of 9 games, Stokes scored ten goals. In January 2020, he signed a 6-month contract with the champions of the Persian Gulf Pro League, Persepolis.