Mohammad Hossein "Kanaani" Kanaanizadegan (Persian: محمد حسین کنعانی زادگان; born 23 March 1994) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Persian Gulf Pro League club Persepolis and Iran national team.[2][3]

Quick Facts Personal information, Full name ...
Hossein Kanaanizadegan
Kanani Zadegan in Persepolis training in 2021
Personal information
Full name Mohammad Hossein Kanaanizadegan[1]
Date of birth (1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Bandar-e Mahshahr, Iran
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre back / Right back
Team information
Current team
Persepolis
Number 6
Youth career
2009–2013 Persepolis
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2016 Persepolis 1 (0)
2013–2014Beira-Mar (loan) 0 (0)
2014–2016Malavan (loan) 47 (3)
2016–2017 Esteghlal 2 (0)
2017–2018 Saipa 7 (3)
2018–2019 Machine Sazi 27 (1)
2019–2021 Persepolis 51 (2)
2021–2023 Al Ahli 41 (7)
2023– Persepolis 32 (8)
International career
2008–2011 Iran U17 25 (3)
2011–2012 Iran U20 19 (1)
2014–2016 Iran U23 5 (1)
2015– Iran 55 (6)
Medal record
Representing  Iran
CAFA Nations Cup
Winner2023 Kyrgyzstan – UzbekistanTeam
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 June 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 September 2024
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Club career

Persepolis

He joined Persepolis in January 2012. He signed a 2+12-year contract until the end of 2013–14 season with the club.[4] He made his debut for Persepolis as a starter against Foolad in the final fixture of the 2011–12 Iran Pro League.[5] He played for Persepolis U21 in AFC Vision Asia U21 Tehran Premier League.

Loan to Beira Mar

Kanaani joined Portuguese club Beira Mar on loan in August 2013, but due to work permit issues he returned to Iran without playing a match.

Loan to Malavan

He joined Malavan on a two–year loan to spend his conscription period in summer 2014. Kanaani scored his first goal for Malavan in a 1–1 draw against Esteghlal.

Esteghlal

In May 2016, after completing his two–year conscription period at Malavan, it was thought Kanaani would return to his original club, Persepolis. However, Kanaani rejected Persepolis' offer and joined rivals Esteghlal. Shortly after joining the club, Kanaani suffered a season-ending injury after only playing two games. He was released by Esteghlal at the end of the season having only played two games for the club.

Saipa

He played the 2017–18 season for Saipa FC.[6]

Machine Sazi

He joined Machine Sazi for the 2018–19 season.[7] He finished the 2018–19 Persian Gulf Pro League at Machine Sazi F.C. with 27 appearances and 1 goal.

Persepolis

Thumb
Kanaanizadegan celebrating his goal against Naft Abadan in September 2019

On 7 July 2019, Kanaanizadegan signed a two-year[8] contract with Persian Gulf Pro League champions Persepolis.[9][10] Kanaanizadegan scored his first goal for Persepolis in a 1–0 victory over Sanat Naft Abadan on 16 September 2019.[11][12][13]

Al Ahli

On 2 August 2021, Kanaanizadegan joined Qatari top flight football club Al Ahli on a two-year deal.[14][15][16] His performance in the new team led to new offers from Iran.[17]

Return to Persepolis

On 8 July 2023, Kanaanizadegan signed a new two-year contract with Persepolis.[18][19]

International career

Thumb
Kanaanizadegan playing for Iran at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

U17

He played two matches at the 2010 Asian U16 Championships.

U20

He started in all four games for the 2012 Asian U19 Championship Qualifiers helping the team keep a clean sheet in all of them. He started in Iran's first game during the championships, helping Team Meli keep a clean sheet as well as hitting the bar from 30 meters out. He was part of Iran U–20 during the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship qualification, 2012 CIS Cup, 2012 AFF U-19 Youth Championship and 2012 AFC U-19 Championship.

U23

He was invited to the Iran U-23 training camp by Nelo Vingada[20] in preparation for Incheon 2014 and the 2016 AFC U-22 Championship (Summer Olympic qualification). He was named in the Iran U23 final list for Incheon 2014.[21]

Senior

Kanaanizadegan made his debut against Uzbekistan in a friendly match on 11 June 2015. He also played against Turkmenistan on 16 June 2015. He scored his first goal for the team with the third goal in the 14–0 thrashing of Cambodia in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers on 10 October 2019.[22] He scored his second goal for the team with a header against Syria on 30 March 2021.[23] Scored two goals in a friendly against Qatar on the 17th of October, 2023

Career statistics

Club

As of 5 October 2024
More information Club, Division ...
Club Division Season League Hazfi Cup Asia Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Persepolis Pro League 2011–12 10000010
2012–13 000000
2013–14 000000
Total 10000010
Malavan Pro League 2014–15 19100191
2015–16 28220302
Esteghlal 2016–17 20000020
Saipa 2017–18 7 3 0 0 7 3
Machine Sazi 2018–19 27120291
Total 5574000597
Persepolis Pro League 2019–20 2713020321
2020–21 24120131392
Total 51250151713
Al Ahli QSL 2021–22 20 1 0 0 20 1
2022–23 20610216
Total 41710427
Persepolis Pro League 2023–24 2662060346
2024–25 62002082
Total 3282080428
Career Total 2062412023124125
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International

As of match played 10 September 2024[24]
More information National team, Year ...
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Iran 201520
201710
201830
2019101
202020
2021101
202280
202382
2024112
Total556
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Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first.score column indicates score after each Kanaanizadegan goal [25]
More information No., Date ...
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.10 October 2019Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran Cambodia3–014–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.30 March 2021 Syria1–03–0Friendly
3.17 October 2023Amman International Stadium, Amman Qatar1–04–02023 Jordan International Tournament
4.4–0
5.21 March 2024Azadi Stadium, Tehran Turkmenistan1–05–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.3–0
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Under-20

More information International U-20 goals ...
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Honours

Persepolis

Personal life

Due to his long and difficult surname, he is often known as "Kanaani".

References

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