Mehdi Taremi

Mehdi Taremi, born 18 July 1992 in Bushehr, Iran) is an Iranian footballer who plays as a forward for Persian Gulf Pro League club Persepolis and the Iranian national team.

Since joining Persepolis in 2014, Taremi has become the top scorer of the Persian Gulf Pro League on two occasions (2015–16, 2016–17). Taremi has also been a member of the Iran national football team since 2015.

Early career

Taremi started his career with Bargh Bushehr's Academey before moving on to Iranjavan's Youth Academy. In addition, his physiotherapist is Saeed Shaykhy, who is a world renown physiotherapist in The Netherlands.

Shahin Bushehr

He joined Shahin Bushehr in the summer of 2010. He played 7 games and scored one goal in all competitions. In the winter of 2012, he was released by Shahin Bushehr to spend his conscription period in a military club, but he failed to join a club and was forced to spend his conscription period in a usual garrison.

Iranjavan

He joined Iranjavan in the summer of 2013 and signed a two-year contract until the end of the 2014–15 season and was given the number 9. Taremi scored 12 times in 22 matches in 2013–14, and became the leagues second top scorer after Mokhtar Jomehzadeh.

Persepolis

After becoming the Azadegan League's top scorer, Taremi had offers from many teams, He joined Persepolis in the summer of 2014 and signed a two-year contract through June 2016.

2014–15

He scored his first goal for the club on 15 August 2014 in a 1–0 victory over Zob Ahan. He made his debut in 1–1 draw with Naft Tehran, coming as a substitute for Reza Norouzi in 90th minute. On 8 April 2015 Taremi scored a penalty in Persepolis' 1–0 win in the Asian Champions League over Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. He scored many goals, and gave quality assists to win the Best Striker Award of the 14th Persian Gulf Pro League at the end of the 2014-15 season.

2015–16

Taremi missed the first week of the new season due to suspension, but in his first game back on 6 August 2015, he scored in a 2–1 loss to Esteghlal Khuzestan. Taremi scored twice in a 2–0 week five win against Foolad. This was Persepolis' first win of the season and lifted them out of the relegation spot. Taremi's good performances in the month of August earned him the Navad player of the month as voted by fans. On 18 December 2015 Taremi scored a brace against Rah Ahan in Persepolis' 2–0 victory. He ended the first half of the league as top scorer with 9 goals in 12 games.

On 4 April 2016 Taremi scored a brace in a 3–2 victory against Siah Jamegan to keep Persepolis in third place. On 12 April 2016 Taremi was in talks to extend his contract to the end of the 2017–18 season. But, eventually he decided not to renew his contract. On 15 April 2016 Taremi scored a brace in Persepolis' historic 4–2 victory over Esteghlal in the Tehran derby. He became league's top scorer with 16 goals at the end of the season, unless his team lost title at the last week.

2016–17

Before the start of the new season, Taremi announced that he will not extend his contract, in willing to join to a European team. In July 2016, it was reported that Taremi is joined to Süper Lig team Çaykur Rizespor. The move was cancelled after Taremi returned to Iran and signed a two-year contract with Persepolis. He played his first match for Persepolis in 1–0 win over Saipa, replaced Omid Alishah in 77th minute. He also scored his first goal of the season in week 4 against Saba Qom. He scored a brace in 3–1 away win over Sepahan, in match knowing as Iran's El Clasico. At the end of the season, the club celebrated 10th Iran Pro League title and Taremi became top scorer for second consecutive season with 18 goals.

On 8 May 2017, Taremi scored a decisive hat trick against Emirati side Al Wahda in a 4–2 Persepolis win, to help his team qualify for the Round of 16 of the 2017 AFC Champions League.

Youth

He played for Iran students national football team in Turkey tournament and scored 9 goals for the team.

He was called up by Ali Reza Mansourian to participate in the team's training camp in Kish Island in 2013.

Senior

He made his debut against Uzbekistan in a friendly match on 11 June 2015. He also came on as a second-half substitute in a World Cup Qualifying match against Turkmenistan on 16 June 2015.

On 3 September 2015, Taremi scored his first senior goals, a brace, in a 6–0 defeat of Guam in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier. On 23 March 2017, Taremi scored the winning and only goal in Iran's victory against Qatar in the final round of World Cup qualifying. He followed this up with another goal on 28 March 2017, in a decisive 1–0 victory against China.

Club

International goals

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	3 September 2015	Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran	3	Guam	2–0	6–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.					5–0
3.	8 September 2015	Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore, India	4	India	3–0	3–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.	17 November 2015	Guam National Football Stadium, Tamuning, Guam	7	Guam	1–0	6–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
5.					6–0
6.	7 June 2016	Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran	11	Kyrgyzstan	2–0	6–0	Friendly
7.	10 November 2016	Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia	15	Papua New Guinea	2–0	8–1	Friendly
8.	23 March 2017	Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar	17	Qatar	1–0	1–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
9.	28 March 2017	Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran	18	China PR	1–0	1–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Club

• Persian Gulf Pro League (1) : 2016–17, 2015–16 Runner up

Individual

• Persian Gulf Pro League Player of the Season : 2015–16
• Persian Gulf Pro League Top Goalscorer : 2015–16 (16) , 2016–17 (18)
• Persian Gulf Pro League Best Striker of the Season : 2014–15 , 2015–16
• Persian Gulf Pro League Team of the Season : 2014–15 , 2015–16