Aref Aghasi has built one of the most well-traveled careers in Iranian football — from the second division to a two-year deal with Esteghlal FC, one of the country’s biggest clubs.
Now 29 years old, the Izeh-born centre-back holds a Persian Gulf Pro League title, six Iran senior caps, and a market value that once touched nearly €5 million.
This article covers everything verified about Aref Aghasi’s net worth, including his Esteghlal contract, career earnings, and financial picture heading into his prime.
Aref Aghasi’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aref Aghasi Kolahsorkhi (عارف آقاسی کلاه سرخی) |
| Date of Birth | January 2, 1997 |
| Age | 29 |
| Birthplace | Izeh, Khuzestan, Iran |
| Nationality | Iranian |
| Height | 184 cm (6 ft 0 in) |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Current Club | Esteghlal FC |
| Shirt Number | 23 |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Turned Professional | 2016 |
| Contract Expires | June 30, 2027 |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$900,000 |
| Market Value | €750,000 – €1,000,000 |
| Peak Market Value | €4.99 Million (2023) |
Early Life & Career
Aref Aghasi was born on January 2, 1997, in Izeh — a city in Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran.
Growing up in Khuzestan, a region with a rich footballing culture and home to major clubs like Foolad and Esteghlal Khuzestan, he had access to football infrastructure from an early age.
He started his footballing journey within the Foolad Khuzestan system, beginning at Foolad Novin Ahvaz — the club’s feeder team competing in Iran’s second division.
His first senior appearance came in the 2014–15 season at that level, giving him a foundation in competitive football before most of his peers had played professionally.
He then moved up to Foolad Khuzestan’s reserve squad for 2015–16, where he continued developing under professional conditions without yet breaking into the first team.
His development had caught the attention of Tractor FC — one of Iran’s most supported clubs, based in Tabriz.
He made his Persian Gulf Pro League debut for Tractor in 2016–17 and appeared again in 2017–18, also featuring in AFC Cup competition for the club.
This early top-flight exposure at a high-profile club proved crucial to his growth as a defender.
The transfer back to Foolad Khuzestan came in 2017–18 for a reported fee of €150,000, as documented in Iran Football Market records — marking one of the earliest verified transfer fees in his career.
Professional Career
Aghasi returned to Foolad Khuzestan as a senior first-team player in 2018–19 and quickly became a fixture in the starting lineup.
His breakthrough season came in 2019–20, when he started 25 league matches — the most he had played in a single season at that point — scoring 1 goal.
He continued to grow, and in 2020–21, he was part of the Foolad Khuzestan squad that won the Persian Gulf Pro League title — the club’s second top-flight championship — making 19 appearances in that historic season.
In August 2021, he completed a brief move to Esteghlal FC, where he featured in AFC Champions League group stage matches before transferring back to Foolad Khuzestan mid-season. He remained with Foolad through 2022–23, adding 22 more league appearances.
The next major move came in July 2023, when he joined Tractor FC for the second time in his career on a free transfer.
He delivered two of the most productive seasons of his professional life at Tractor — 29 league appearances and 2 goals in 2023–24, followed by 30 league appearances and 1 goal in 2024–25, including 8 AFC Champions League Elite matches.
His consistency during this period pushed his market value to a career peak of €4.99 million in 2023, per BeSoccer’s tracking data.
On June 12, 2025, Aghasi completed a free transfer to Esteghlal FC — signing a two-year deal through June 2027, as confirmed by Tasnim News Agency.
His full career statistics, transfer history, and market value trends are documented on Transfermarkt’s player profile.
Internationally, he earned his senior Iran debut on June 12, 2022, in a friendly against Algeria.
He returned to the national team fold in 2025, earning 5 caps in Iran’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign — bringing his total to 6 senior international appearances.
His performances in the qualifiers are tracked on ESPN’s Aref Aghasi career stats page and confirmed by national team records at Team Melli.
Aref Aghasi’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Aref Aghasi’s has an estimated net worth of $900,000.
He built this wealth through a decade of professional contracts at Tractor FC, Foolad Khuzestan, and now Esteghlal FC — supplemented by AFC Champions League earnings and Iran national team fees.
Contract
Aghasi joined Esteghlal FC on a free transfer on June 12, 2025, signing a two-year deal running through June 30, 2027.
Tasnim News Agency confirmed the deal directly, describing him as Esteghlal’s second signing of the 2025 summer window.
The exact toman value of the contract was not officially disclosed by Esteghlal, though pre-transfer reports from Iranian media linked him to a deal worth 180 billion tomans during the Persepolis negotiations — a figure that gives a realistic financial benchmark for his market level.
At current free-market exchange rates, that value equates to approximately $300,000 over two years.
His current market value of €750,000 to €1,000,000 — tracked by Transfermarkt’s transfer analysis and FotMob — confirms his standing as a well-valued senior defender in Iranian football.
Salary
Aghasi’s exact wages at Esteghlal have not been publicly published. Based on his market value, national team status, and Esteghlal’s position as one of Iran’s largest clubs, his annual earnings align with senior centre-back benchmarks in the Persian Gulf Pro League.
First-choice defenders at clubs of Esteghlal’s scale typically earn between $100,000 and $150,000 per year, with Aghasi’s profile placing him toward the higher end of that band.
His previous club Tractor FC — also a major Iranian outfit — likely paid him comparably during 2023–25 given the AFC Champions League Elite action and his consistent starts.
For broader context on Iranian top-flight wages, this Iran football players salary guide maps the landscape across the league.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Approx. Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Foolad Novin Ahvaz | Division II | 1 | ~$5,000 (est.) |
| 2015–16 | Foolad Khuzestan B | Reserve | 0 | Minimal |
| 2016–17 | Tractor FC | Pro League | 1 | ~$20,000 (est.) |
| 2017–18 | Tractor FC | Pro League + AFC | 13 | ~$35,000 (est.) |
| 2018–19 | Foolad Khuzestan | Pro League | 7 | ~$40,000 (est.) |
| 2019–20 | Foolad Khuzestan | Pro League | 25 | ~$65,000 (est.) |
| 2020–21 | Foolad Khuzestan | Pro League | 19 | ~$75,000 (est.) |
| 2021–22 | Esteghlal + Foolad | Pro League + AFC | 22 | ~$85,000 (est.) |
| 2022–23 | Foolad Khuzestan | Pro League + Cup | 24 | ~$90,000 (est.) |
| 2023–24 | Tractor FC | Pro League + AFC | 32 | ~$120,000 (est.) |
| 2024–25 | Tractor FC | Pro League + ACL Elite | 39 | ~$130,000 (est.) |
| 2025–26 | Esteghlal FC | Pro League | Active | ~$140,000 (est.) |
| Career Total | 183+ | ~$805,000+ (est.) |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Apps (All Comps) | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Foolad Novin Ahvaz | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2016–17 | Tractor FC | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2017–18 | Tractor FC | 13 | 0 | — |
| 2018–19 | Foolad Khuzestan | 7 | 0 | — |
| 2019–20 | Foolad Khuzestan | 25 | 1 | — |
| 2020–21 | Foolad Khuzestan | 19 | 0 | — |
| 2021–22 | Esteghlal + Foolad | 22 | 1 | — |
| 2022–23 | Foolad Khuzestan | 24 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | Tractor FC | 32 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024–25 | Tractor FC | 39 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025–26 | Esteghlal FC | Active | — | — |
| Career Total | 183+ | 5 | 5+ |
International Career
| Year | Team | Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Iran | Friendly (vs Algeria) | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Iran | 2026 WC Qualifiers | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 0 |
FAQs
What is Aref Aghasi’s net worth?
Aref Aghasi’s estimated net worth is approximately $900,000. He built this through professional contracts at Foolad Khuzestan, Tractor FC, and now Esteghlal, plus AFC Champions League bonuses and Iran national team fees.
What club does Aref Aghasi play?
He plays for Esteghlal FC in the Persian Gulf Pro League, having signed a two-year free transfer deal on June 12, 2025. His contract runs until June 30, 2027, making him a key part of Esteghlal’s defensive setup.
When did Aref Aghasi make his Iran national team debut?
He made his senior Iran debut on June 12, 2022, in a friendly against Algeria. He returned to the national team, earning five more caps in Iran’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
What is Aref Aghasi’s peak market value?
His market value peaked at €4.99 million during his time with Tractor FC. Transfermarkt and FotMob both track his value between €750,000 and €1,000,000.
Did Aref Aghasi win any league titles in his career?
Yes. He was part of the Foolad Khuzestan squad that won the 2020–21 Persian Gulf Pro League title — the club’s second championship — making 19 league appearances during that title-winning campaign.
