Hadi Norouzi

Hadi Norouzi(Persian:هادی نوروزی,22 June 1985– 1 October 2015) was an Iranianfootballstrikerwho last played forPersepolisin thePersian Gulf Pro League.

Hadi Norouzi

Norouzi in July 2015
Personal information
Full name	Hadi Norouzi Pouri
Date of birth	(1985-06-22)22 June 1985
Place of birth	Kapurchal,Babol,Iran
Date of death	1 October 2015(2015-10-01)(aged 30)
Place of death	Tehran,Iran
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Striker/Winger
Youth career
2000–2007	Persepolis
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2005–2006	Pasargad
2006	Fajr Sepah Tehran
2007–2008	Damash Iranian	22	(10)
2008–2015	Persepolis	152	(26)
2013–2014	→Naft Tehran(loan)	15	(4)
International career‡
2009–2011	Iran	9	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 August 2015 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 July 2011

He joinedPersepolisyouth team in 2000 and was promoted to the first team squad in 2008 byAfshin Ghotbiafter spend a short spell atPasargadandDamash Iranian.In 2013, he joinedNaft Tehranin a six-month loan contract. At the end of the season, he was returned to Persepolis and became a regular squad player.

On 1 October 2015, Norouzi died of a heart attack in his sleep at the age of 30.At the time of his death, he was Persepolis' captain, having been named as the club captain two months before.

Club career

Early years

Norouzi joinedPersepolisin summer 2000 fromPersepolis U19.He played four seasons forPersepolis U19and moved toPasargad.He moved back toPersepolis U21after he served his conscription inFajr Sepah Tehran.He leftPersepolis U21teams forDamah Iranian's Senior team ofDivision 1.

Persepolis

Next year he returned to Persepolis, where he was mostly used as a substitute in2008–09 season. He was top assistant ofPersepolisin2010–11 season,and extended his contract withPersepolisanother two-years in summer 2013, keeping him in the team until 2015.

Loan to Naft Tehran

He joinedNaft Tehranwith a season-long loan on 26 November 2013.He made 12 appearances for Naft and scored three goals.

Return to Persepolis

Norouzi returned to Persepolis before the start of2014–15season after spending six months atNaft Tehran.He was named captain of the club before the start of the 2015–16 season after former captainMohammad Nourileft the club.

Club career statistics

Norouzi celebrating after scoring a goal for Persepolis againstPadideh

As of 25 September 2015.

Club	Division	Season	League		Hazfi Cup		Asia		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Damash Iranian	Division 1	2007–08	22	10	6	4	–	–	28	14
Persepolis	Pro League	2008–09	15	2	3	1	5	1	23	4
		2009–10	30	8	5	0	–	–	35	8
		2010–11	29	7	5	2	6	0	40	9
		2011–12	18	2	2	0	4	0	24	2
		2012–13	25	4	5	3	–	–	30	7
		2013–14	10	0	1	1	–	–	11	1
Naft Tehran			12	3	0	0	–	–	12	3
Persepolis		2014–15	20	2	4	0	8	1	32	3
		2015–16	5	1	1	0	–	–	6	1
Career Total			185	39	32	11	23	2	239	51

• Assist Goals

Season	Team	Assists
08–09	Persepolis	0
09–10		2
10–11		7
11–12		1
12–13		4
13–14		0
	Naft Tehran	0
14–15	Persepolis	3
15–16		1

International career

He started his International Career underAfshin Ghotbiin August 2009 againstBosnia and Herzegovina.He played nine international cups.

Death and tributes

Persepolis players in the first training after Norouzi's death

In the morning of 1 October 2015, Persepolis team managerMahmoud Khordbinannounced that the club captain Hadi Norouzi died in his sleep from a heart attack due tohypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Resuscitation attempts on the way to the hospital failed. Norouzi was 30.Persepolis managerBranko Ivankovićdescribed the news as a big shock for him and his team. Persepolis players and legends likeAli Parvin,Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh,Karim Bagheriand former managersAfshin GhotbiandAli Daeipaid tributes to Norouzi and his family in their messages.Iran Pro Leagueclubs also paid tributes to Persepolis club and fans inTwitter.Iran national football teamplayers observed aminute's silencefor Norouzi at their training camp in United Arab Emirates. Many fans also immediately flocked to Persepolis' training ground,Derafshifar Stadiumwhere he had participated in a training session in last day without any problem, to lay flowers and light candles.

A memorial was held atAzadi Stadiumon 2 October which was attended by 20,000 mourners which rivalsEsteghlalfans also attended the ceremony. His body remained at the stadium for one day and then was transferred toBabol.His funeral was held on the following day and he was buried at his hometown,Kapur Chalvillage atBabol.

On 4 October 2015, former teammateKarim Ansarifarddedicated his goal in his team's 5–1Greek Super Leaguewin to him, by raising a shirt with his name and number (#24, REST IN PEACE CAPTAIN).Iran national under-23 football teamplayers also dedicated their win to Hadi Norouzi during their match againstBahrainat2015 WAFF U-23 Championship.

In Persepolis' first match after the death of Norouzi, fans cheered-up him in 24th minute. They also made a mosaique at the stadium which shows Norouzi's name and number, "Hadi 24". Persepolis and his native city's clubKhoneh Be Khonehretired their number 24 shirt in his honour. A city square was also renamed to Hadi Norouzi square in his home townBabol.

Personal life

Noroozi's spouse Masoumeh Ebrahimpour and their two children, 8 March 2016.

Norouzi had four siblings, all brothers and he was the youngest son of his family. He married Masoumeh Ebrahimpour in 2003.The couple had two children, a boy Hani (born 2009)and a girl, Hana (born 2014).

Honours

Club

Persepolis

• Hazfi Cup(2):2009–10,2010–11

Individual

Assist leader ofPersian Gulf Pro League:2010–11

External links

• Hadi NorouziArchived19 May 2012 at theWayback MachineatPersianLeague
• Hadi NorouziatTeamMelli
• Hadi Norouziat National-Football-Teams