Notts County has acquired the services of Maziar Kouhyar the Afghanistan international player. He has officially put pen to paper on a one-year contract. The club can choose to extend it for another year if they want.
The 27-year-old forward is joining Meadow Lane as a free agent after having an impactful season with Kidderminster Harriers. He really stood out last year, scoring 13 goals and grabbing 12 assists.
Kouhyar’s path to professional football in Britain is truly motivating. His family departed Afghanistan in 1999 to escape the Taliban, which was a significant transition. He subsequently achieved a milestone by becoming the initial Afghan-born player to enter professional football in the UK, playing for Walsall in League One.
Just when things were going well and his contract was almost up, he ran into a serious injury that really threw a wrench in things. It was a tough time for him, but Kouhyar has done an awesome job bouncing back and is now working on rebuilding his career in the non-league scene.
Roberto Gagliardi, Notts County’s Head of Football, expressed his enthusiasm about the new signing: “Maziar’s life story and career are filled with examples of tremendous bravery, perseverance, and determination. We are thrilled to give him another chance at EFL football.” Kouhyar was first highlighted by Notts’ data model, identifying him as a standout player within a robust Kidderminster side.
“Having had the chance to observe him while monitoring our loanee Ryley Reynolds, it became clear that Maziar possesses both elegance and skill on the ball,” said Gagliardi. “He offers a legitimate threat in the final third, whether out wide or in central positions, as evidenced by his impressive double-figure haul of goals and assists last season.”
Gagliardi added, “We’re confident that with the momentum behind him, Maziar will successfully adjust to League Two, and we anticipate collaborating with him during this thrilling new phase of his career.”
Before this chapter, Kouhyar kicked off his pro career with Walsall after coming up through the youth ranks at Coventry City. He got to play 21 times in League One and even scored his first EFL goal. Sadly, he hit a rough patch when an injury sidelined him for quite a while.
His tenacious comeback began with a National League North opportunity at Hereford, a move which saw him eventually join York City. There, Kouhyar became a fan favourite, helping the team to National League promotion and ensuring their stability thereafter.
His professional journey gained momentum after a temporary stint at Hereford. However, the 2024-25 campaign with Kidderminster proved pivotal as he showcased his exceptional abilities and left an indelible mark.
Kouhyar has played for the Afghanistan national team on 10 occasions. He recently joined the squad for a training camp and even featured in a match against Syria.
The new signing highlights Kouhyar’s career progression. It provides a reason for Notts County supporters to feel enthusiastic. People anticipate seeing his impact on matches.
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