Imad Zatara
Imad Zatara (Arabic: عماد زعترة; born on 1 October 1984) is a Swedish-born Palestinian footballer who plays as a striker for Sur SC.[1]
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Imad Zatara | ||
| Date of birth | 1 October 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Stockholm, Sweden | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Sur SC | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1997–2001 | FC Inter Orhoy | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2001–2002 | Essinge IK | 20 | (2) |
| 2003–2006 | Vasalund/Essinge IF | 16 | (2) |
| 2007 | IF Brommapojkarna | 34 | (10) |
| 2008 | Zalaegerszegi TE | 12 | (3) |
| 2008–2011 | Syrianska FC | 56 | (7) |
| 2010 | → Nîmes Olympique (loan) | 26 | (11) |
| 2012 | Sanat Naft Abadan | 29 | (11) |
| 2012–2014 | Åtvidabergs FF | 48 | (11) |
| 2015 | AFC United | 11 | (0) |
| 2016 | Al-Ahli Manama | 11 | (4) |
| 2016–2018 | Mesaimeer | ||
| 2018– | Sur SC | ||
| National team‡ | |||
| 2004– | Palestine | 28 | (3) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 September 2018 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 8 September 2015 | |||
Club career
Early career
Imad began his career in FC Inter Orhoy, a club famous for bringing players like Gabriel Özkan and Henok Goitom.
Vasalund/Essinge IF
Imad spent his first six seasons on senior level at Stockholm based Essinge IK (who was merged with Vasalunds IF in 2003 creating Vasalund/Essinge IF making his debut only 17 years old. It didn't take long for Imad to evolve into one of the most important players of the team and one of the most coveted players of Swedish third level.
IF Brommapojkarna
In 2007 Imad finally took the final step making his debut on the highest level of Swedish football when moving to another Stockholm based club, IF Brommapojkarna who were about to play their first season ever in Allsvenskan. Unfortunately the team struggled in the bottom of the table and at the end of the season the team got relegated to Superettan. Imad didn't get many chances in the starting eleven and often had to sit on the bench.
Zalaegerszegi TE
After about a week long trial in early 2008 Imad got a contract with Hungarian Zalaegerszegi TE. He soon became an important player of the team and scored 3 goals in 12 appearances as the club finished 7th in Nemzeti Bajnokság I.
Syrianska FC
Imad signed with Södertälje based Syrianska FC in early 2009 after being a very coveted name among the Stockholm-based clubs. Imad spent two seasons with the club and was consistently a very important part of the team who finished on 4th place of Superettan in 2009. He was also part of the side that would secure promotion to the Allsvenskan in 2010, he turned in several key performances the following year allowing the club to retain its top-flight status.
Nîmes Olympique
In February 2010 Imad signed a loan deal with French Ligue 2 club Nîmes Olympique. He made his debut against Le Havre AC on 12 February 2010 and also managed to score his first and only goal during his time in the club. He scored the equalizer in the 87th minute of a game that mainly will remembered for the 9 yellow and 2 red cards that were delivered in the game.[2] Imad played 6 games for the club and returned to Syrianska FC after the season.
Sanat Naft
On 23 December 2011, he signed a 6-month contract with Iran Pro League side, Sanat Naft, becoming the first Palestinian to play in Iran.
Åtvidabergs FF
On 26 July 2012, Imad Zatara returned to Sweden with newly promoted Allsvenskan side Åtvidabergs FF. In 2013 Zatara scored 9 goals making him the second top scorer in the Allsvenskan, behind fellow Palestinian Imad Khalili.
International career
Imad early took the decision to play for his native country Palestine. The debut came in 2004 in the 1–4 defeat against Iraq, in which Zatara scored his first international goal. He has also been called up for Palestine in 2010. Zatara captained the national team for the first time in a friendly against the Malaysia national football team.
International goals
- Scores and results list Palestine's goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 16 November 2004 | Doha, Qatar | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Iraq | 1–4 | 1–4 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier |
| 2. | 14 December 2011 | Doha, Qatar |  Libya | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2011 Pan Arab Games |
| 3. | 14 December 2012 | Al Farwaniyah, Kuwait |  Oman | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2012 WAFF Championship |
Personal life
On 30 January 1992 Imad Zatara's father Hasan Zatara became the last victim of John Ausonius in Swedish media known as Lasermannen ("the Laser Man"). Hasan survived but was blinded in his right eye and lost the ability to speak.
References
- "Officiellt: Imad Zatara klar för Sur SC". fotbolltransfers.com.
- "Nîmes – Le Havre 12.02.2010". youtube.com. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2010.