Tasnim - Iranian international winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh says that he had received several offers from French and Turkish clubs but preferred to play in the Dutch Eredivisie.

As a fourteen year old he left home to play a team in Tehran. Five years later, he left Iran for the Netherlands.

"As a young boy I pursued my dream, however I endured many difficulties," Jahanbakhsh told Voetbal International. "I didn’t take the easy way."

“I always follow my heart. I had offers from France and Turkey, but didn’t accept them. I was also close to a move to Persepolis, the biggest club in Iran, but preferred to play abroad," said Jahanbakhsh.

Jahanbakhsh joined NEC Nijmegen in 2013 from Iranian club Damash Gilan and was voted the best player of the 2014-15 Jupiler League after an impressive season with the team in the Dutch second division.

The 22-year-old winger signed a contract with AZ Alkmaar in 2015.