Iranian international midfielder, Saman Ghoddos, is leaving Premier League side Brentford for a second time in successive summers. At the end of the 2022/23 season, Ghoddos was released by the Bees, only to re-sign him on a one-year contract weeks later. The utility man has long been a beneficial squad player for Brentford boss, Thomas Franke, but this time it looks likely that he’ll leave for good having been released alongside Shandon Baptiste and Charlie Goode.
It was a feather in Ghoddos’ cap that the Bees opted to re-sign him for the 2023/24 season. The Premier League is the biggest and best league on the planet, with squads jam-packed with elite international players. The strength of the Premier League has aided the English national team too, with their young prospects benefiting from playing alongside top-tier talent. The Three Lions came desperately close to winning Euro 2020 and are the current favourites to be the Euro 2024 winners with Betano, with the likes of France and Germany not far behind them in the latest odds.
Although Ghoddos looks unlikely to be locking horns with the best players on the planet in 2024/25, there are plenty of routes for him to take with his next move.
Could Ghoddos return to Ostersunds FK?
It was at Ostersunds FK where Ghoddos announced himself on the European football stage. After scoring 14 goals in 54 appearances for Syrianska FC, Ghoddos was snapped up by Ostersunds in 2016, working under the management of Graham Potter. He was utilised as an attacking winger for Ostersunds to great effect, notching 29 goals in 65 appearances. No Ostersunds fan will forget his two assists in their historic 2-1 victory at Arsenal in 2018.
His form earned him a switch to French Ligue 1 side, Amiens, but he didn’t set the world alight despite becoming the first Iranian to play in Ligue 1. A return to his birthplace of Sweden and Ostersunds would have appealed had it not been for their relegation to the Superettan in 2021. It’s possible an Allsvenskan side like Malmo, Djurgarden or GAIS could see him as a clever addition midway through their 2024 campaign.
Is the Saudi Pro League a possible route?
Despite being an Iranian international, with 50 caps to his name, Ghoddos has not yet plied his trade at club level in the Middle East. With the riches on offer in the Saudi Pro League, it’s possible Ghoddos could look to secure a move here as a free agent. At 30 years of age, the versatile wide midfielder-cum-full back could benefit from a lucrative two-to-three-year contract in the Saudi Pro League. His flexibility and outstanding professionalism would make him a great bridge between a Saudi team’s overseas stars and their homegrown talent.
Will a newly-promoted Premier League side consider him?
It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Ghoddos could yet stick around in England. Although he’s been released by Brentford, this may not spell the end for him in the Premier League. Newly-promoted clubs like Ipswich Town and Leicester City are going to need cost-effective squad players, especially given the constraints of Financial Fair Play (FFP). For someone like Ipswich, who’ll need to upgrade several areas of their squad to try and survive, he could be a shrewd addition as competition both at right back and right wing.
One thing is for sure, Ghoddos remains a hugely exciting player to watch when he’s on song. During the 2023/24 Premier League season, Ghoddos landed the Premier League Goal of the Month in November for his goal in a victory over Burnley. Although he prefers to play in the final third, he’s honed his defensive responsibilities during his time at Brentford, which should help him bag a good move elsewhere this summer.
