Jihad Ayoub
Jihad Khaled Ayoub (Arabic: جهاد خالد أيوب; born 30 March 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre-back for Lebanese Premier League club Safa. Born in Venezuela to Lebanese parents, Ayoub plays for the Lebanon national team. Club careerEarly careerAyoub played at youth level for academies in Venezuela, Argentina, England, and Malta.[4][5] He played for his university team in Venezuela before moving on to professional clubs.[5] His youth career includes stints at Margarita in Venezuela, Millwall and Notts County in England,[4] and Melita in Malta,[6] where he played for their under-21 team.[4] Ayoub joined Lebanese Premier League side Ahed in January 2017,[7] helping them lift the league title in 2016–17.[8] He was sent on a one-year loan to Lebanese Second Division side Shabab Sahel for the 2017–18 season, where they finished in first place and were promoted to the Premier League.[9] BekaaHe moved to Bekaa on a free transfer in summer 2018.[10] On 24 February 2019, Ayoub assisted both of Bekaa's goals against Ansar in a 2–2 draw.[11] He finished the season with two goals in 20 games,[12] and was regarded as one of the club's best-performing players in the 2018–19 season.[10] AnsarFollowing a trial with the club,[13] Ayoub joined Ansar on a two-year contract in May 2019.[14] Having extended his contract in July 2020,[15] Ayoub announced his decision to end his contract in March 2021.[16] He returned to the club the same month,[17] and helped Ansar win the domestic double (league and Lebanese FA Cup) in 2020–21.[18] Ayoub renewed his contract in July 2021.[18] PSS SlemanOn 6 July 2022, Ayoub joined Indonesian club PSS Sleman.[19] SafaAyoub returned to Lebanon on 20 July 2024, joining Lebanese Premier League club Safa.[20] International careerAyoub made his international debut for Lebanon on 1 December 2021, as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Egypt at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.[21] In December 2023, Ayoub was included in the Lebanese squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. He scored his first international goal on 4 September 2024 against Tajikistan during the 2024 Merdeka Tournament. Career statisticsInternational
International goals
HonoursAhed Shabab Sahel Ansar
See alsoReferences
External linksWikimedia Commons has media related to Jihad Ayoub.
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