Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Iran national team winger, has officially joined Excelsior in the Eredivisie after one season in Belgium. The 32-year-old returned to Dutch football following his spell with FCV Dender EH.
Jahanbakhsh began his Dutch career in 2011 with NEC Nijmegen before moving to AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord and Heerenveen. During the 2017/18 Eredivisie season, he won the league’s top scorer award and was named Player of the Year, earning a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.
Excelsior started the 2026/27 Eredivisie campaign with a 4-0 victory over Cambuur, briefly topping the table. The Rotterdam side are set to host PSV Eindhoven in their next fixture, and Jahanbakhsh could feature in the match.
According to club sources, Jahanbakhsh will wear the number 7 shirt for Excelsior, with his contract running until the end of the 2026/27 season. After over a decade in European football, he aims to make an immediate impact upon his return.
The Iran national team is monitoring his progress closely as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with his Eredivisie experience seen as valuable for the squad’s attacking options.
Excelsior’s clash with PSV Eindhoven is scheduled for September 16, 2026 at the Van Donge & De Roo Stadium in Rotterdam, where Jahanbakhsh hopes to contribute minutes.
