Iraqi footballer
Saad Natiq Naji (Arabic: سعد ناطق ناجي, born 19 March 1994),[2] sometimes referred as Suad Natiq Naji, is an Iraqi footballer who plays for Al-Talaba in the Iraqi Premier League and the Iraq national football team as a center back and defensive midfielder.[3]
Club career
Born in Najaf Saad went through the Al-Najaf FC youth system and made his senior debut with his home club under Hatif Shamran in 2009 and was part of the club's first team for two seasons.[4] However it was in the Iraqi capital that Saad made his name, when he joined Doura-based oil refinery club Al-Masafi in the south of Baghdad where he played for three seasons – earning his selection to the Iraqi U-19s.[4] It was under Hakim Shaker that Saad Natiq became one of the nation's recognised defenders, playing for the Iraqi Under 19s at the FIFA World U-20 Cup in Turkey.[4] It was his spell at Al-Masafi under the command of trainers Hassan Ahmed and Nadhim Shaker that he developed as a player and was transformed into a strong tackling centre half after used in several positions at the club including at right back having first started out as a midfield anchor in his early days at Al-Najaf.[4] In the summer of 2014, the defender was signed by his former Al-Masafi club coach Nadhim Shaker to play for Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya after his club were relegated to the first division.[4]
Al Arabi
Saad Natiq signed for Al Arabi for the 2017/18 season. He made his debut on 17 September against Al Sailiya which ended in a 3–1 defeat. He scored his first goal in the Qatar Stars League against Al Rayyan on 19 November, with his second coming in the same match.
International career
On 26 August 2015, Natiq made his first international appearance for Iraq against Lebanon in a friendly match.[citation needed]
International Goals
Honours
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Al-Shorta
Iraq U-20
Iraq U-23
References
External links
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