Ryan Tafazolli
FullnameRyan Sirous Tafazolli[1]
Birth date28 September 1991 (age 35)[2]
Birth placeSutton, England
Height6.4 ft (1.96 metres)[3]
PositionCentre-back[4]
CurrentclubSwindon Town
Clubnumber17
Youthyears 12005–2011
Youthclubs 1Southampton
Years 12009–2011
Clubs 1Southampton
Caps 10
Goals 10
Years 22009
Clubs 2→ Salisbury City (loan)
Caps 25
Goals 20
Years 32011
Clubs 3→ Salisbury City (loan)
Caps 30
Goals 30
Years 42011–2012
Clubs 4Concord Rangers
Years 52012
Clubs 5Cambridge City
Caps 56
Goals 50
Years 62012–2016
Clubs 6Mansfield Town
Caps 6109
Goals 68
Years 72016–2019
Clubs 7Peterborough United
Caps 7101
Goals 75
Years 82019–2020
Clubs 8Hull City
Caps 815
Goals 82
Years 92020–2025
Clubs 9Wycombe Wanderers
Caps 9111
Goals 99
Years 102025
Clubs 10→ Lee Man (loan)
Caps 1012
Goals 101
Years 112025–
Clubs 11Swindon Town
Caps 1117
Goals 112
Club-update16:28, 18 March 2026 (UTC)

Ryan Sirous Tafazolli (born 28 September 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Swindon Town.

Early life

Tafazolli was born in Sutton, Greater London.[5] He is of Iranian descent and has dual nationality.[6]

Club career

Early career

Tafazolli joined the Southampton Academy in 2005. He went on to captain the successful under-18 youth team and also the reserve team.[7]

His first taste of first-team football came after he joined Conference Premier team Salisbury City on a one-month loan starting October 2009,[7] but his professional debut against York City on 10 October 2009 was a disaster, as he was sent off in the second half. Nevertheless, Salisbury City won the match 1–0.[8] Tafazolli later played five league games and one FA Cup fixture[citation needed] before returning to his parent club in December.[9] After still not breaking into the squad at Southampton, he returned to Salisbury in 2011 for three months, playing three times in the FA Trophy.[citation needed]

After being released by Southampton in May 2011,[10] Tafazolli went on trial with Eastleigh[11] and Reading in an effort to win a contract with the club.[12] However, Tafazolli's best efforts to win a contract with these clubs failed.[13] He subsequently joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Concord Rangers, where he had a brief spell.[14]

In April 2012, Tafazolli joined Southern Premier League side Cambridge City on a short-term contract. He played six games for City, helping them reach the promotion playoffs.[15]

Mansfield Town

Tafazolli signed for Conference club Mansfield Town on 20 August 2012.[16][17] Tafazolli made his Mansfield Town debut on 15 September 2012, in a 2–0 win over Braintree Town.[18] Despite an injured hamstring for most of the campaign,[19] during which time he only picked up five league appearances, at the end of Mansfield's title-winning season he was offered a new contract with the club.[20][21]

At the start of the 2013–14 season, Tafazolli changed his shirt number from 32 to 12.[22] Tafazolli started the season on the bench, making his first English Football League start in a 3–0 win over Northampton Town on 21 September 2013.[23] Tafazolli soon suffered a knee injury that kept him out for a month.[24] He made his return on 29 December 2013, when Mansfield Town won 2–1 against Cheltenham Town.[25] From that point on, Tafazolli established himself and joined up with various partners in defence. His first goal for the club came on 8 March 2014 in a 2–1 win over Newport County[26] and he scored another in a 3–0 win over Rochdale a week later.[27] At the end of the 2013–14 season, Tafazolli won three awards; Fans' player of the season, Chairman and Directors' player of the season, and the Stags' Association player of the season despite only making 24 appearances.[28]

On 18 June 2014, Tafazolli accepted a new contract offered by the club.[29]

In the pre-season of the 2014–15 season, Mansfield turned down a bid from Scottish Professional Football League side Dundee United for Ryan Tafazolli.[30] The club explained their decision on their website.[31] Tafazolli scored his first goal for the club at the start of the season in a 2–1 win over Oxford United.[32] Things went well until he injured a hamstring during a match against Accrington Stanley in early October, which Mansfield Town lost 1–0.[33] This left him on the sidelines until 15 November 2014 in a 2–0 loss against Shrewsbury Town.[34] Tafazolli was sent off after a second bookable offence in a 1–1 draw against Hartlepool United on 26 December 2014.[35] After serving a one-match ban, Tafazolli suffered a virus that kept him out for weeks.[36] He made his return to the first team in a 0–0 draw against Wycombe Wanderers on 24 January 2015.[37] Tafazolli made 42 appearances and scored once in all competitions.[38] At the end of the season, Tafazolli signed a contract with the club.[39]

Peterborough United

On 6 June 2016, Tafazolli signed a three-year deal at League One club Peterborough United.[40] He scored his first goal for the club on 18 October 2016 in a 3–0 victory against Northampton Town.

Tafazolli was named as Peterborough's best defender for the 2016–17 season in April 2017.[41] In May he was also voted as Peterborough's best player of the 2016–17 season.[41]

He was released by Peterborough United at the end of the 2018–19 season.[42]

Hull City

On 18 July 2019, Tafazolli signed a two-year deal with Hull City.[43]

Tafazolli made his first appearance for the club in the first match of the 2019–20 season in the 2–1 away defeat to Swansea City, when he came off the bench to replace Jordy de Wijs.[44]

Wycombe Wanderers

Following Hull's relegation, Tafazolli signed for Championship club Wycombe Wanderers on 2 September 2020.[45] He made his debut for the club on 19 September 2020 in a 5–0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, coming off the bench in the 58th minute[46] and made his first start the following week in a defeat at home to Swansea City.[47]

Loan to Lee Man

On 24 January 2025, Tafazolli joined Hong Kong Premier League club Lee Man on loan until the end of the 2024–25 season.[48][49]

Swindon Town

On 28 August 2025, Tafazolli joined League Two side Swindon Town on a one-year deal.[50] On 12 May 2026 the club announced he had signed a new one-year contract.[51]

He also Played for 5Guys on a one game loan on July 30 2023[52]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup[a]League cup[b]OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Southampton2009-10[53]League One0000000000
2010-11[54]League One0000000000
Total0000000000
Salisbury City (loan)2009-10[53]Conference Premier5010——60
Salisbury City (loan)2010-11[55]Southern Football League Premier Division0000—3[c]030
Mansfield Town2012-13[56]Conference Premier5000000050
2013-14[57]League Two242000000242
2014-15[58]League Two36140101[d]0421
2015-16[59]League Two445201100476
Total10986021101189
Peterborough United2016-17[60]League One31340003[d]0383
2017-18[61]League One33162106[d]0463
2018-19[62]League One37140105[d]0471
Total1015142201401317
Hull City2019-20[63]Championship1522021—193
Wycombe Wanderers2020-21[64]Championship2021000—212
2021-22[65]League One33400203[e]1385
2022-23[66]League One252100000262
2023-24[67]League One32120103[d]0381
2024-25[68]League One1010102[d]050
Total111950408112810
Lee Man (loan)2024-25[55]Hong Kong Premier League5010—0060
Swindon Town2025-26[69]League Two3000000030
Career total3492429210226141429
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Hong Kong FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes League Cup
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  5. ^ Appearance(s) in League One play-offs

Honours

Mansfield Town

References

  1. ^ "EFL – Squad List 2021/22: Wycombe Wanderers – In Squad Players". English Football League. p. 143. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Ryan Tafazolli: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Ryan Tafazolli". Wycombe Wanderers F.C. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  4. ^
  5. ^ "Ryan Tafazolli: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Iranian-British Ryan Tafazolli sought by Queiroz". Team Melli. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Loan Move for Ryan". Southampton F.C.. Archived 3 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  8. ^ "Salisbury City 1–0 York City". BBC Sport. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  9. ^ "Weymouth v Salisbury City preview / Tafazolli returns to Saints". Southampton Daily Echo. 11 December 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  10. ^ "Southampton duo prepare for talks". BBC Sport. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  11. ^ "Eastleigh hand trial to ex-Saint Ryan Tafazolli". Southampton Daily Echo. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  12. ^ "Why Aaron Martin is a great incentive?". Southampton Daily Echo. 8 August 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  13. ^ "Eastleigh Make Late Signings". The Official Football Conference League Website. 15 August 2011. Archived 28 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  14. ^ "Ryan Tafazolli turns out for Southend United to boost hopes of return to league". Echo. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Cambridge City v Swindon Supermarine". Cambridge City FC. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Mansfield Town sign defender Ryan Tafazolli". BBC Sport. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  17. ^ "Mansfield Town sign former Southampton trainee Ryan Tafazolli". Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. 20 August 2012. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  18. ^ "Tafazolli set for debut". Mansfield Town F.C. 15 September 2012. Archived 28 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  19. ^ "Cox will play strongest side v Slough". Mansfield Town F.C. 1 November 2012. Archived 28 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  20. ^ "Mansfield Town give defender Ryan Tafazolli new deal". This is Nottingham. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  21. ^ "Mansfield Town: Lee Beevers one of 11 offered new deals". BBC Sport. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  22. ^ "Squad numbers announced". Mansfield Town F.C. 18 July 2013. Archived 28 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
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  26. ^ "Mansfield Town 2–1 Newport County". BBC Sport. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  27. ^ "Mansfield Town 3 – 1 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  28. ^ "In pictures: Annual Dinner Awards". Mansfield Town F.C. 8 May 2014. Archived 28 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  29. ^ "Duo agree Football League deals". Mansfield Town F.C. 18 June 2013. Archived 28 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  30. ^ "Dundee United fail with bid for Mansfield defender Ryan Tafazolli". BBC Sport. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  31. ^ "Stags reject bids for duo". Mansfield Town F.C. 8 July 2014. Archived 28 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  32. ^ "Mansfield Town 2 – 1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  33. ^ "Defensive duo face spells on the sidelines". Mansfield Town F.C. 7 October 2014. Archived 29 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  34. ^ "Team news from Greenhous Meadow". Mansfield Town F.C. 15 November 2014. Archived 29 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  35. ^ "Mansfield Town 1 – 1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
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  37. ^ "Mansfield Town 0 – 0 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  38. ^ "Tafazolli casts eye to the future". Mansfield Town F.C. 1 May 2015. Archived 1 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  39. ^ "Gaffer expects trio to stay". Mansfield Town. 9 June 2015. Archived 8 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  40. ^ "Ryan Tafazolli & Andrew Hughes join Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  41. ^ "Peterborough United | Vital Posh Player of the Season 2016/2017". Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  42. ^ "Peterborough United: Aaron Chapman among five transfer-listed as four released". BBC Sport. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  43. ^ "Tafazolli Pens Permanent Deal". Hull City Tigers. Hull City A.F.C. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  44. ^ Buckingham, Philip & Colman, Jonty (3 August 2019). "Swansea City v Hull City live: Grant McCann's Championship debut". Hull Live. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
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  49. ^ 港超聯 理文獲韋甘比借兵 on.cc 24 January 2025
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