Maziar Kouhyar signs a new deal until summer of 2019...
We are delighted to confirm that Maziar Kouhyar has signed a new deal with the club, keeping him at the Banks’s until the summer of 2019.The 19-year old signed his first professional contract in February and has been rewarded for his impressive start to life in the senior ranks.
“I’m really happy to extend my contract with the club,” said Kouhyar. “Hopefully I can keep going and do well for the club.
“My first few months have been really good for me.
“Being in and around the first team, getting a couple of appearances and starting games as well.
“To come on and make my debut against Chesterfield was crazy, I still remember it clearly.
“Then to score a goal is something you dream about for so long so to finally do it against Grimsby was amazing.
“I picked up a knee injury on international duty with Afghanistan which was a bit of a set-back but I’ll be back within a few weeks.”
Kouhyar’s call up came after playing six times in Walsall colours already this season, including a first senior start against Northampton Town in September.
Born to Afghani parents, he moved to the UK as a two year old when his parents decided to flee the country following the outbreak of war.
An inventive and technically gifted midfielder, Kouhyar explains how he’s had to adapt to men’s football in order to push for a place in the squad and earn recognition from his birthplace.
“The intensity in the matches are much higher than youth team football.” He added. “Nearly every player is bigger and strong than me so it’s something I have to deal with and technically you have to be a bit more tidy on the ball.
“Everything is just a bit more professional but the players and staff have been really welcoming since I signed so it’s a good environment for me to be in.
“I was so happy when I got called up, and thought I’d have the chance of playing for my country.
“Then in Malaysia I turned in training, felt something go in my knee and had to fly straight back.
“Hopefully another chance will come though, I’ve just got to keep playing well.”
"He's done really well since he joined us," Jon Whitney added. "The idea for a first year professional is for them to break into the first team within 12 to 18 months and he's already done that.
"He had a really strong pre-season and showed us what he's about.
"From what he's shown so far, he's one I can see being a really important player for us in the future.
Technically he a very talented player and his work ethic and attitude is fantastic so he deserves an extended contract."
"He's done really well since he joined us," Jon Whitney added. "The idea for a first year professional is for them to break into the first team within 12 to 18 months and he's already done that.
"He had a really strong pre-season and showed us what he's about.
"From what he's shown so far, he's one I can see being a really important player for us in the future.
Technically he a very talented player and his work ethic and attitude is fantastic so he deserves an extended contract."