Easah Suliman

Easah Suliman
Personal information
Full name Easah Zaheer Suliman[1]
Date of birth (1998-01-26) 26 January 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Sumgayit
Number 4
Youth career
2012–2015 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2020 Aston Villa 0 (0)
2016–2017 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 9 (0)
2018 → Grimsby Town (loan) 2 (0)
2018 → FC Emmen (loan) 3 (0)
2020–2023 Vitória SC 18 (0)
2021–2022 → Nacional (loan) 13 (0)
2022–2023 → Vilafranquense (loan) 16 (0)
2023– Sumgayit 27 (4)
International career‡
2012–2014 England U16 5 (0)
2013–2015 England U17 16 (0)
2015–2016 England U18 5 (0)
2016–2017 England U19 10 (1)
2017–2018 England U20 10 (2)
2023– Pakistan 9 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  England
UEFA European Championship
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Winner 2017
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:08, 26 March 2024 (UTC)

Easah Zaheer Suliman (Urdu: عیسیٰ ظہیر سلیمان; born 26 January 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Azerbaijan Premier League club Sumgayit. Born in England, he captains the Pakistan national team.

Suliman is a product of the Aston Villa Academy. He represented England at youth level and is the first player of Asian heritage to captain an England football side, having done so at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 levels. Suliman played every game at centre back in the England Under-19s victorious UEFA European Under-19 Championship campaign in July 2017, scoring the opening goal in England's 2–1 final victory over Portugal. Suliman has played on loan at English Football League sides Cheltenham Town and Grimsby Town as well as Eredivisie side FC Emmen. He is also seen as one of the best centre backs to play for Pakistan.[3]

Club career

Aston Villa

Easah hails from Hall Green area of Birmingham,[4] and started in the Aston Villa academy at 8 years old.[4]

In January 2015, after reported interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and Premier League giants Liverpool,[4] Easah secured his future with Aston Villa, signing a two year professional contract.[4][5]

Suliman was called up to train with the first-team squad by Rémi Garde during the 2015–16 season, and was named as a substitute for a match in the League Cup against Notts County on 25 August 2015.[6] Suliman made his first team debut under manager Steve Bruce, featuring as a late substitute in a 4–1 League Cup victory over Wigan Athletic on 22 August 2017.[7]

Cheltenham Town (loan)

On 4 August 2016, Suliman joined Cheltenham Town on loan until 2 January 2017.[8] He made his Cheltenham debut on 6 August 2016 in a 1–1 home draw against Leyton Orient.[9] Three days later he played the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 League Cup win against League One side Charlton Athletic.[10]

Grimsby Town (loan)

On 31 January 2018, Suliman joined League Two side Grimsby Town until the end of the 2017–18 season.[11] He made his league debut in a 1–1 draw with Port Vale on 10 March 2018.[12]

FC Emmen (loan)

On 17 August 2018, Suliman joined Dutch Eredivisie side FC Emmen on a season-long loan deal.[13] On 28 December 2018, Suliman was recalled from his loan spell at Emmen due to him playing only 9 minutes in his 4-month spell there. The Villa staff and Emmen manager came to an agreement that the loan was 'no longer useful'.[14]

Vitória SC

On 21 January 2020, Suliman joined Portuguese side Vitória SC for an undisclosed fee.[15] On 5 June 2020, Suliman made his debut in a 2–2 draw with Sporting CP. In doing so, he became the first player of Pakistani descent to play in the top flight in Portugal.[16] He made his first Primeira Liga start on 30 June 2020, helping his side earn a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory over Vitória FC.[17]

Nacional (loan)

On 28 July 2021, Suliman joined recently relegated Nacional on a season-long loan.[18] On 15 August 2021, he made his debut for Nacional as a late substitute in a 4–0 victory over Vilafranquense.[19] Suliman made his first start on 28 August 2021 in a 2–1 home victory against Varzim in which he played the full ninety minutes.[20]

Vilafranquense (loan)

On 1 September 2022, Suliman joined Vilafranquense in the Portuguese second tier on a season-long loan.[21] Suliman made his debut for the club on 8 October 2022, in a 0–1 home defeat to Penafiel.[22]

Sumgayit

On 13 July 2023, it was reported that Azerbaijan Premier League club Sumgayit were very close to signing Suliman.[23][24] On 21 July, Sumgayit confirmed the signing on a two-year contract.[25][26][27] He made his debut on the opening game of the league on 5 August 2023, a 4–1 away victory over Sabail - playing the full 90 minutes.[28] On 19 August 2023, Suliman scored his first senior professional goal in the 3rd minute in a 2–1 away victory against Gabala.[29][30]

International career

Suliman has represented England at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 levels[31] and was the first British Asian to captain an England side at any level.[32] Suliman captained England Under-16s at the 2014 Montaigu Tournament with the side finishing third overall.[33] Suliman has also captained England at under-17 level against the Faroe Islands.[34]

Suliman was promoted to the England Under-19 side in August 2016 and played the full match in a 1–1 friendly against the Netherlands Under-19 side. A penalty shoot-out was held following the match with Suliman scoring the winning penalty.[35] Tom Davies of Everton started the game as captain but passed the armband to Suliman after he was substituted in the 61st minute.[35]

Suliman started every game at centre back in England Under-19's victorious 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship campaign in July 2017.[36] He scored the opening goal in the final, a header following a rebound off the opposition goalkeeper, in England's 2–1 win over Portugal in Georgia's Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium.

Suliman is eligible to play for Pakistan because of his Pakistani background. On 18 May 2023, it was confirmed that Easah would represent Pakistan after FIFA approved the request from Pakistan Football Federation.[37]

On 14 June 2023, Suliman made his debut for the Pakistan national football team in a 1–0 friendly defeat to Kenya.[38] On 17 June, he was selected in the Pakistan squad for the 2023 SAFF Championship which is a FIFA-sanctioned competition and would therefore tie Suliman's international future to Pakistan.[39] He captained the side on his second match against Djibouti.

Personal life

Suliman has discussed his British Pakistani heritage and being a Muslim professional footballer in interviews.[40] His family originates from the city of Mirpur in the Azad Kashmir region of Pakistan.[41] He has spoken of his family's friendship with England cricketer Moeen Ali and how he encouraged him to keep going to secure a professional contract.[40]

Career statistics

Club

As of matches played 26 November 2024[42]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Europe Other[c] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Aston Villa 2016–17 Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0
2017–18 0 0 0 0 1 0 – – 1 0
2019–20 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 2[d] 0 2 0
Total 0 0 0 0 1 0 – 2 0 3 0
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2016–17 League Two 9 0 1 0 2 0 – 0 0 12 0
Grimsby Town (loan) 2017–18 League Two 2 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0 2 0
FC Emmen (loan) 2018–19 Eredivisie 3 0 1 0 – – – 4 0
Vitória de Guimarães 2019–20 Primeira Liga 6 0 0 0 0 0 – – 6 0
2020–21 12 0 0 0 0 0 – – 12 0
2021–22 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0
2022–23 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – 0 0
Total 32 0 2 0 2 0 – – 36 0
Nacional (loan) 2021–22 Liga Portugal 2 13 0 1 0 0 0 – – 14 0
Vilafranquense (loan) 2022–23 Liga Portugal 2 16 0 0 0 1 0 – – 17 0
Sumgayit FK 2023–24 Azerbaijan Premier League 27 4 2 0 0 0 – – 9 2
Career total 74 4 3 0 4 0 – 2 0 79 2
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Taça de Portugal, Azerbaijan Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup, Taça da Liga
  3. ^ Includes EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Appearances in the EFL Trophy

International

As of match played 26 March 2024[43]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Pakistan 2023 7 0
2024 2 0
Total 9 0

Honours

England U19

See also

References

  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Aston Villa" (PDF). English Football League. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Easah Suliman: Overview". Premier League. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  3. ^ Sohail, Shahrukh (16 June 2024). "FOOTBALL: STEADY AS SHE GOES". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Wollaston, Steve (22 January 2015). "Aston Villa beat off Bayern Munich and Liverpool to snap up wonderkid". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  5. ^ Club, Aston Villa Football (23 January 2015). "FIRST CONTRACT: EASAH SULIMAN PENS TWO YEAR VILLA DEAL". Aston Villa Football Club. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  6. ^ Club, Aston Villa Football. "Aston Villa Football Club | The official club website". Aston Villa Football Club. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Aston Villa 4–1 Wigan Athletic". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Loan News: Suliman joins Cheltenham Town". Aston Villa F.C. 4 August 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  9. ^ "Cheltenham Town 1-1 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Cheltenham Town 1–0 Charlton Athletic". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  11. ^ Findlater, James (31 January 2018). "Aston Villa defender Easah Suliman becomes second transfer deadline day signing for Grimsby Town". Grimsby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Grimsby Town 1-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 24 March 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  13. ^ "Welkom Easah Suliman!" (in Dutch). FC Emmen. 17 August 2018. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  14. ^ Mir, Amir (28 December 2018). "STON VILLA DEFENDER EASAH SULIMAN TO RETURN FROM LOAN". HITC. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  15. ^ "Easah Suliman: Aston Villa defender signs for Vitoria Guimaraes". BBC Sport. 21 January 2020. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  16. ^ Rushton, James (5 June 2020). "Aston Villa academy star makes history upon league restart". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  17. ^ "Englishman Easah Suliman impresses on full debut for Vitória SC". Próxima Jornada. 1 July 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  18. ^ "Defesa central inglês Easah Suliman é reforço do Nacional". Sapo Desporto. 28 July 2021. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Nacional-Vilafranquense, 4-0: goleada madeirense com Bruno Gomes em destaque - 2ª Liga - Jornal Record". Record. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Nacional v Varzim Starting XIs, 28/08/2021, Segunda Liga". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  21. ^ "Suliman reforça Vilafranquense por empréstimo do V. Guimarães". www.record.pt (in European Portuguese). Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  22. ^ "UD Vilafranquense vs Penafiel live score, H2H and lineups | Sofascore". www.sofascore.com. 8 October 2022. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  23. ^ Freitas, Bruno (13 July 2023). "Easah Suliman de saída do V. Guimarães e a caminho do Azerbaijão". www.record.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  24. ^ Dias, Rogério (13 July 2023). "Mercado: Suliman próximo de deixar, em definitivo, o Vitória e assinar pelo Sumgayit FK". Futebol 365 (in Portuguese). Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  25. ^ ""Sumqayıt" FK İsa Suliman ilə 2 illik müqavilə imzalayıb". facebook.com/sumqayitfc (in Azerbaijani). Sumgayit FK Facebook. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  26. ^ "Azerbaijan's Sumgayit FC sign Pakistani Easah Suliman on two-year deal". azertag.az. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  27. ^ Məmmədov, Sadiq (22 July 2023). "Azerbaijan's Sumgayit FC sign Pakistani Easah Suliman on two-year deal". News.az. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  28. ^ Sofascore. "Səbail FK vs Sumqayıt FK live score, H2H and lineups | Sofascore". www.sofascore.com. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  29. ^ ""Zirə"dən ardıcıl 3-cü qələbə, "Qəbələ" yenə uduzdu". qol.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  30. ^ "Qəbələ vs. Sumqayit - 19 August 2023 - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  31. ^ "Profile". The Football Association. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  32. ^ "Aston Villa's Easah Suliman hopes to set standard for England's Asian footballers, Ed Aarons". The Guardian. 18 November 2015. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  33. ^ "England U16s hot from the spot to see off France in Montaigu". The FA. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  34. ^ "'Moeen Ali told me to show we can achieve our dreams'". Thefa.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  35. ^ a b "England U19s held to draw by Dutch but seal shoot-out win". The FA. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  36. ^ "Under-19 2017: Portugal-England". UEFA. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  37. ^ "Former England U20 player set to represent Pakistan football team". www.geosuper.tv.
  38. ^ "Kenya vs. Pakistan - 14 June 2023 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  39. ^ Trehan, Dev (17 June 2023). "Aston Villa release Arjan Raikhy as Easah Suliman and Otis Khan prepare for Pakistan trip to India". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  40. ^ a b "Moeen Ali told me to show we can achieve our dreams". The FA. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  41. ^ "Former England U19 captain Easah Suliman hopes to write a new chapter with Pakistan". sportstar.thehindu.com. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  42. ^ "Pakistan - Easah Suliman - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  43. ^ "Easah Suliman". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  44. ^ "European Under-19 Championship: England beat Portugal in final". BBC Sport. 15 July 2017. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.