Who Is Ashkan Dejagah? Age, Biography and Wiki
Ashkan Dejagah, born on July 5, 1986, is a prominent Iranian footballer known for his versatility on the field. As of 2025, he is 39 years old and has made significant contributions to both club and international football. Having started his professional career in his teen years, Dejagah has become a household name in Iranian sports, showcasing his talent in various leagues around the world, including the Bundesliga and the English Premier League. His journey is documented in detail on his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Footballer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 5, 1986 |
| Age | 39 Years |
| Birth Place | Tehran, Iran |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | Iran |
Popularity
Ashkan Dejagah's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Weight: 75 kg (165 lbs)
- Body Stats: As an athlete, Dejagah maintains a fit physique, with a balanced body composition that aids in his performance on the field.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
While Ashkan Dejagah has mostly kept his personal life private, he is known to value family. He has often spoken fondly about his upbringing and the support of his family throughout his career. As of 2025, there have been rumors regarding his relationship status; however, it has not been publicly confirmed whether he is dating anyone, leading to speculation regarding his girlfriend. His dedication to football often takes precedence over his romantic endeavors.
In 2004, upon being called up to the German U-19 team, Dejagah scored seven goals in 15 international games, including two against the Netherlands after his team was down 2–0. In 2005, he was invited to play for Germany's U-21. In October 2007, Dejagah refused to play an under-21 international match for Germany against Israel, in Tel Aviv.
He cited "very personal reasons", and said, variously: "There are political reasons. Everyone knows I'm a German-Iranian", "I have more Iranian than German blood in my veins. Besides, I'm doing this out of respect. After all, my parents are Iranian"; and "I have nothing against Israel.
But I'm worried about having problems later when travelling to Iran".
Bild (Germany's top-selling newspaper), Ronald Pofalla and Friedbert Pflüger (the General Secretary and a leading member of the Christian Democratic Union), and Charlotte Knobloch (President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany) demanded that Dejagah be excluded from Germany's national team.
Dejagah said in a Stern interview that he chose not to play in Israel because, since the Iranian Revolution, Iranians travelling to Israel are subjected by the Iranian government to harsh punishments and several years in prison, and he had concern for his parents who travel to Iran and his other relatives who live in Iran.
He also said he did not make his choice because of personal political, antisemitic, or racist reasons. Since the revolution, the Iranian government has warned Iranian athletes not to travel to Israel or compete against Israeli athletes.
After a meeting with Theo Zwanziger, the president of the German Football Association, and national technical director Matthias Sammer, Dejagah stated that his reason was that he was concerned because of his Iranian origins about the welfare of his family and relatives if he were to play in Israel; therefore, he was not excluded from Germany's nati
onal team.
Zwanziger said, "He clearly stated that his request not to be nominated for the game in Israel had no racist or anti-Semitic background.
He credibly assured us that, because of his Iranian origins, he had only been concerned with the well-being of his family and relatives." Zwanziger added that Dejagah was now prepared to play in the home tie against Israel if selected.
Seven years later, in April 2014, Dejagah spoke on the matter, saying, "This was a long time ago; it is in the past. Yes, it helped me grow up but now I only look to the future." In 2009, Dejagah won the 2009 UEFA Euro U-21s with Germany and scored a goal in the group stages against Finland.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Ashkan Dejagah's estimated net worth is around $5 million. His earnings are derived from a combination of his football salary, endorsements, and other business ventures. Throughout his career, he has played for several clubs, earning a competitive salary that reflects his skills and contributions on the pitch.
Career, Business and Investments
Dejagah's football career has been a remarkable journey. He began his career in Iran before making his way to Europe, where he played for notable clubs including VfL Wolfsburg and Fulham. In addition to his club commitments, he has represented Iran at various international tournaments, including the AFC Asian Cup, bringing attention to his dynamic playing style and leadership on the field.
Outside of football, Dejagah has ventured into various business investments, focusing on sports-related initiatives as well as youth development programs aimed at helping aspiring young athletes in Iran. His vision is to promote sports and provide resources for the next generation of football talent.
Dejagah made his professional debut for Hertha BSC against VfL Bochum in the opening match of the 2004–05 Bundesliga season, playing the last five minutes in a 2–2 home draw in his only first team appearance that year, thus becoming the youngest player to ever play for the club since it was founded in 1892.
In his three years at Hertha, he also played in the regional league. Despite starting out as a central defender, he was quickly moved to the forward position and finished as the team's top scorer in 2005–06, with twelve goals in 23 appearances.
Hertha's manager, Falko Götz, showed continuous faith in Dejagah by gradually giving the youngster playing time in the Bundesliga, as well as three UEFA Cup showdowns in 2005–06, playing the following season in the Intertoto Cup against FC Moscow.
Social Network
Dejagah maintains an active presence on social media, engaging with fans and sharing updates about his life and career. His official accounts on platforms such as Instagram and Twitter serve as a window into his professional trajectory and personal milestones, helping him to connect with supporters and the football community worldwide.
On 31 January 2018, Dejagah joined EFL Championship club Nottingham Forest on a short-term deal until the end of the 2017–18 season. He made his debut on 3 February against his former club Fulham appearing as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 defeat. On 14 February, Iran's coach Carlos Queiroz announced on his Facebook that Dejagah had gone through surgery.
Education
Ashkan Dejagah's education has primarily revolved around his football career, with limited public information available regarding his academic pursuits. His early dedication to the sport often saw him balancing formal education with rigorous training and matches, indicating a focus on developing his sporting prowess from a young age.
