Scott Musgrave
For some time Nashat Akram has been regarded as one of the finest footballers to come out of Iraq in many years, and some would even argue he is one of the most complete players to come out of mainland Asia. Along with Iraqi team-mate Younis Mahmood, the captain of the national team gained recognition across the continent, and rumours of his talent soon reached the ears of Dutch side FC Twente, who promptly signed up the playmaker on a three- year contract.
After a failed trial with Manchester City due to work permit issues, Akram waited patiently for the chance to embark on his European adventure. This adventure will be beginning in fine surroundings, as the Steve McClaren led Twente side have qualified for next season's Champions League following a second placed finish in the Eredivisie.
After starting out as a 16 year-old at local club Al-Shorta, the young Iraqi quickly started to impress, with many regarding him as one of the upcoming talents of Asian football. Akram was soon officially recognised as such in 2002, with the Asian Young Player of the Year Award.
It wasn’t long until he was picked out of the obscurity of the Iraqi Premier League with a move to Saudi club Al-Nasr, but after a falling out over wages Akram left the club in slightly acrimonious circumstances to move to giants Al-Shabab in 2003. At Al-Shabab Arkram impressed once again and helped his new club to the Saudi Premier League title and repeated the feat in 2006. The young Iraqi also won the league’s Player of Year and Foreign Player of the year awards in his three years of service at the Arabian club.
It was at this time that Akram’s talents began to be noticed further afield. With Iraq qualifying for the Asian Cup in 2007, and being drawn with newcomers to the AFC, Australia, things were looking hard for the minnows, but Akram and Mahmood took the tournament by storm. The Iraqi side even took the scalp of a highly fancied Australian outfit on the way to beating Saudi Arabia in the final. In all probability, Australia’s relative European following, combined by the mastery of Akram in their group game, was most likely the moment that the playmaker finally came to the attention of those outside of the Middle East and Asia. Although countryman Younis Mahmood took the final gong, most of the plaudits went to the heralded playmaking brilliance of Nashat Akram.
After coming second in the AFC Player of the Year awards Akram took off for England to have trials with Manchester City, and was also linked with a move to Sunderland. Unfortunately his work permit was declined and Akram moved to Qatari outfit Al-Gharafa for one season where he won the double of the Emir of Qatar Cup and the Qatari Premier League title, scoring 10 league goals and proving pivotal to the success of the team. Then, in a friendly against Spanish giants Real Madrid, Akram provided two assists in a 4-1 win over the nine time European champions.
Now the ambassador for Asian football will make his foray into Europe in what should ultimately be a major success for him, and an amazing coup for FC Twente. Steve McClaren may not have shown much nous with the English national team, but he surely shown his eye for talent by being willing to sign the Iraqi captain.
If FC Twente continue to achieve domestic success and make an impact on the Champions League then there is a very large chance Nashat Akram will be the reason for it. Hopefully, Akram's move may open the window for more European adventures by Middle Eastern players in the future. And if Akram is the player many in Asia believe him to be, then he may do just that.
*Original* Kaiserslautern 96/97 *Original* Slavia Prague 05/06
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