Andranik Timotian-Samarani, commonly known as Andranik "Ando" Teymourian (; , born 6 March 1983) is an Iranian retired professional footballer who usually played as a defensive midfielder, but could also play as a wide midfielder. He is notably the first Christian to captain the Iran national team. From 2006 to the end of 2010, he played for three clubs in England, namely Bolton Wanderers and Fulham in the Premier League and Barnsley in the Football League Championship. Teymourian played his first match for Iran in 2005, and has featured in their squads for the 2006 and 2014 World Cups, and also the 2007, 2011 and 2015 Asian Cups. Club career Early career Andranik was born in Tehran, Iran to ethnic Armenian parents. He started with Oghab F.C. in Iran's Azadegan League, and continued his professional career playing for F.C. Aboomoslem in the Iranian Premier League. In the 2005–06 season, Andranik made 26 appearances for F.C. Aboomoslem and scored one goal. Bolton Wanderers In late August 2006 he signed a two-year deal with FA Premier League club Bolton Wanderers, for an undisclosed fee, after being granted a work permit. He scored his first two goals for Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup third round in a 4–0 win over Doncaster Rovers on 6 January 2007, in only his third appearance. Andranik then went on to make his full Premier League debut against Fulham on 11 February 2007. His first two league goals came during a man-of-the-match performance against local rivals Wigan Athletic on 7 April 2007. Fulham On 12 June 2008, Andranik signed a two-year contract with Fulham after moving on a free transfer. He made his Fulham debut against Arsenal, in which he helped secure a 1–0 victory. On 2 February 2009, he went on loan to Barnsley of the Football League Championship until the end of the season. He later stated that he wanted to stay with Fulham for the 2009–10 season. On 1 July 2010, Fulham announced that Andranik had been released from his contract with Fulham. In July 2010, Teymourian was named in Blackburn Rovers' team to face Southport FC in a pre-season friendly. On 22 July 2010, Teymourian began talks with Sheffield United after turning down a tour with Blackburn Rovers across Australia. Blades coach Gary Speed was believed to have recommended Teymourian to Blades boss Kevin Blackwell as Speed and Teymourian played together at Bolton