Wikipedia _ Masoud Soleimani Shojaei (born 9 June 1984) is an Iranian professional footballer of plays for Iran National football team (and also “Alqarafa F.C” in Qatar Stars League”). Mainly an attacking midfielder, he can also play as a winger or forward.
After playing in Iran Pro league for two clubs including “F.C Sanatenaft” of Abadan & also with a club in the UAE, he went on to spend several seasons in Spain with Osasuna, appearing in 112 official games.
An Iranian international since 2004, Shojaei represented his country in two World Cups and three Asian Cups.
Club career
Early years
Shojaei comes from an Abadanis family, he is born in Shiraz because it was when Abadan was under bombardment during the war years between Iran-Iraq in 1980’s, so his family were refuge to Shiraz, however “Masoud” lived most of his life in Abadan and a bit in Tehran.[1] He started his career with Abadan Oil industry football club (Sanat Naft F.C.) before moving to “Saipa F.C.” in the Iran Pro League; having signed at the age of 19, he went on to play three seasons with the latter.
He did the first National game for Iran in 2006 World Cup vs Angola, After the World Cup, Shojaei moved to the United Arab Emirates and signed for Al Sharjah SC. He scored his first goal for the club in the League on 3 October, against Al-Emarat.
Osasuna
On 23 June 2008, after previous attempts from VfL Wolfsburg in Germany and Italy’sS.S.C. Napoli, Shojaei signed with Spanish side CA Osasuna for three years, teaming up with compatriot Javad Nekounam. The deal included a €6 million buyout clause for the first 18 months of his contract, being reduced to €3.5 million for the remainder of his stay.[2]
Shojaei made his La Liga debut on 31 August 2008, playing 32 minutes in a 1–1 home draw against Villarreal CF.[3] During his first two seasons he appeared almost always as asubstitute, as the Navarrese managed to maintain its division status; the player remained a regular even after the coaching change at the club, as José Ángel Zigandawas replaced by José Antonio Camacho.[4][5]
Shojaei – who was addressed by his first name during his spell in Spain – appeared regularly again for Osasuna in the 2010–11 campaign, but also spent one month at the2011 AFC Asian Cup with his national team. In late May he renewed his contract with the club for another two seasons, also having the option of an annual renewal of his link.[6]
Shojaei spent the entire 2011–12 on the sidelines, due to injury.[7] On 25 February 2013, in only his fourth appearance since returning, he scored a stunning goal to help Osasuna win it 2–0 at Levante UD.[8][9]
Despite a solid start to his spell, Shojaei was eventually released in June 2013.[10] Shortly after he was linked with a move to fellow league club Real Valladolid,[11] but nothing came of it.
Las Palmas
On 3 September 2013 Shojaei moved clubs but stayed in Spain, joining Segunda Divisiónside UD Las Palmas on a one-year contract.[12]He found the net in his debut, in a 3–1 away success over CE Sabadell FC for the campaign‘s Copa del Rey.[13]
Shojaei scored twice and provided an assist in the first half of the league fixture against the same opponent on 15 March 2014, in an eventual 5–0 home win.[14]
Qatar Stars League
After the 2014 World Cup, Shojaei turned down an offer from Real Zaragoza and moved to a football club in Qatar Stars League.[15]
The Abadan Times 