Yaser Kasim facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Yaser Kasim

Kasim with Swindon Town in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Yaser Safa Kasim Al-Kadefaje
Date of birth	(1991-05-10) 10 May 1991 (age 34)
Place of birth	Karrada, Baghdad, Iraq
Height	5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m)
Playing position	Central midfielder
Youth career
2006–2007	Fulham
2007–2010	Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2010–2013	Brighton & Hove Albion	1	(0)
2012–2013	→ Luton Town (loan)	11	(1)
2013	→ Macclesfield Town (loan)	5	(0)
2013–2017	Swindon Town	122	(7)
2017–2019	Northampton Town	6	(0)
2019	Örebro SK	12	(0)
2020	Erbil	5	(0)
2021–2022	Zakho	8	(2)
2022–2023	Welling United	9	(1)
2023	Gloucester City	1	(0)
2023	Margate	12	(0)
2023–2024	Eastbourne Borough	14	(1)
2024	Margate	12	(0)
Total		218	(12)
National team
2012	Iraq U23	1	(0)
2014–2021	Iraq	21	(3)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:42, 30 May 2024 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Yaser Safa Kasim Al-Kadefaje (ياسر قاسم; born on 10 May 1991) is an Iraqi former footballer. He played as a midfielder, a player who helps both attack and defense.

Yaser Kasim's Early Life and Football Journey

Yaser Kasim was born in Baghdad, Iraq. When he was six, his family moved to Jordan for a year. After that, they settled in England. His mother remembers him always kicking a ball, even inside their flat! Neighbors would sometimes complain, and she'd tell him to go to the park.

Yaser's parents wanted him to play tennis, and he was good at it. But his real love was football. He begged them to let him play. His passion for the sport started in Baghdad. His father once heard a shopkeeper say, "What kind of player is your son? He's fighting everyone and taking on everyone!"

Yaser shared how much his parents gave up for him and his siblings. They left Baghdad in the 1990s for a better life in London. He felt proud to play for the Iraqi national team because of their sacrifices.

A big moment for Yaser was at age 18. He decided not to sign a professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur. He felt he wouldn't get enough chances to play and grow there. He spent about a year and a half away from football. This time made him mentally stronger and more determined to succeed.

Yaser Kasim's Club Career

Yaser's football journey in England began in the youth teams. He first joined Premier League club Fulham. After a few months, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2007. He stayed there until he was 18. In 2010, he left Tottenham and soon joined Brighton & Hove Albion.

Playing for Brighton & Hove Albion

Yaser signed with Brighton & Hove Albion in October 2010. He made his first team debut for Brighton on 7 May 2011. In 2012, he went on loan to Conference Premier team Luton Town. He played as a defensive midfielder and became a regular player there. Later, in 2013, he also had a loan spell at Macclesfield Town. Brighton released him in May 2013.

Time at Swindon Town

Yaser found a stable place to play at Swindon Town. He signed a three-year deal after a successful trial. He quickly became an important part of the team's midfield. In his first season (2013–14), he played 45 games and scored his first goal for the club. Swindon Town nearly made the promotion play-offs that season.

In his second season (2014–15), Yaser played 41 games and scored three goals. Swindon reached the League One play-off final but lost, missing out on promotion. Yaser also played for Iraq in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup during this time.

By his third season, Yaser was a key player and even an unofficial third captain. In his fourth and final season with Swindon, he faced challenges. He dealt with injuries, especially to his groin and hip. Swindon Town was relegated to EFL League Two that year.

Later Club Teams

After leaving Swindon Town in 2017, Yaser signed a two-year deal with Northampton Town in EFL League One. He left the club in January 2019.

In the summer of 2019, Yaser moved to Sweden. He signed a one-year contract with Örebro SK, a team in the top Swedish league, Allsvenskan. He left after the 2019 season.

In January 2020, Yaser returned to Iraq. He joined Iraqi Premier League club Erbil. He hoped this move would help him get back into the Iraqi national team. However, he left Erbil after five months, stating he had not been paid.

After Erbil, Yaser joined Zakho, another Iraqi club, for the 2021–22 season. He had a great start, scoring two goals. This led to him being called back to the Iraqi national team. He was close to moving to a Spanish club but it didn't happen.

In September 2022, Yaser announced he was retiring from professional football. However, he later played for National League South team Welling United from October 2022 to January 2023. He then briefly played for Gloucester City before taking up a coaching role.

In February 2023, Yaser joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Margate. He later moved to National League South club Eastbourne Borough for the 2023–24 season. In January 2024, he returned to Margate. In May 2024, Yaser announced his retirement from playing football to focus on coaching and other ventures.

Yaser Kasim's International Career

Yaser Kasim made his debut for the Iraq national team on 5 March 2014, against China. He quickly became a key player in Iraq's midfield.

He had previously focused on playing for Swindon Town instead of joining the national team for some games. He was also part of the Iraqi Olympic team (Under-23) in 2011.

After some time away, Yaser was called back to the Iraqi national team in 2021 for the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup. This was after his strong performances for Zakho.

Challenges with the 2016 Olympic Games

In 2016, Yaser was expected to be one of the older players for Iraq's Under-23 team at the Rio Olympics. However, he faced challenges with his fitness. During a warm-up match, the coach took him off the field early, sending a message about his training effort. Yaser then left the training camp unexpectedly and did not return. This caused surprise among the team officials. He later explained that he had left due to personal reasons and challenges at the time.

Yaser had periods where he chose not to play for the national team. In 2017, he announced his retirement from international football but later changed his mind. He played a friendly match against Saudi Arabia in February 2018.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list Iraq's goal tally first.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	17 November 2014	Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	Oman	1–0	1–1	22nd Arabian Gulf Cup
2.	12 January 2015	Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia	Jordan	1–0	1–0	2015 AFC Asian Cup
3.	31 March 2015	Khalid Bin Mohammed Stadium, Sharjah, UAE	DR Congo	1–0	1–0	Friendly

Honours

Iraq

• AFC Asian Cup fourth-place: 2015

See also

In Spanish: Yaser Kasim para niños