Mehran Gholami, a rising star of Afghanistan’s national futsal team, has signed with Manzanares Quesos El Hidalgo, a top-flight club in Spain’s premier futsal league, marking a historic first for the country’s participation at this level.
The Spanish club confirmed the signing this week in an official announcement, stating that Gholami, 20, has joined the team on a contract that runs through the end of the 2026–2027 season. He arrives from Water Resources Club in Iraq.
Born on October 31, 2005, Gholami played a key role in Afghanistan’s national squad during the recent Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan, earning praise for his speed and attacking skill on the wing.
Manzanares, currently competing in Spain’s top-tier futsal league, said the addition of the Afghan winger is part of its plan to strengthen the squad ahead of the upcoming season.
The Afghanistan Football Federation hailed the transfer as a “major milestone” for the country’s futsal program.
Gholami is the first Afghan futsal player in history to sign with a club in Spain’s elite futsal league — a landmark moment for a sport that has gained rapid popularity in Afghanistan in recent years.
