George Mourad (Arabic: جورج مراد; born 18 September 1982)[3] is a former professional footballer who played as a striker. Mourad represented both Sweden and Syria internationally.
Mourad with Tromsø in 2010
| |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1982-09-18) 18 September 1982 (age 41) | ||
| Place of birth | Beirut, Lebanon[1] | ||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Västra Frölunda | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2003 | Västra Frölunda | 58 | (13) |
| 2004–2008 | IFK Göteborg | 68 | (14) |
| 2006 | → Brescia (loan) | 6 | (2) |
| 2008–2010 | Willem II | 36 | (4) |
| 2010 | Tromsø | 25 | (8) |
| 2011 | Portimonense | 5 | (1) |
| 2011–2012 | Mes Kerman | 9 | (1) |
| 2012 | Syrianska | 18 | (2) |
| 2013 | Qingdao Jonoon | 13 | (0) |
| 2013–2016 | Örgryte IS[2] | 61 | (17) |
| 2017 | Utsiktens BK | 23 | (1) |
| Total | 321 | (63) | |
| International career | |||
| 2005 | Sweden | 2 | (0) |
| 2011 | Syria | 5 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
After playing for Västra Frölunda IF, he joined IFK Göteborg in 2004 and scored seven goals in his debut season in Allsvenskan. In 2005, he had a disappointing season with only three goals in Allsvenskan. He then signed a six-month loan contract for Italian Serie B side Brescia on 31 January 2006. After a trial, Mourad was granted a contract on 11 January 2008 at the Dutch club Willem II. He has played for the Sweden national football team. As of 1 February 2010, Mourad left Willem II after dissolving his contract.[4] Mourad signed a one-year contract with Tromsø IL on 11 March 2010.
Mourad transferred to Chinese Super League side Qingdao Jonoon in February 2013.[5]
Mourad was born in Lebanon,[1] and is of Aramean descent, but was raised in Sweden. He played for Swedish youth teams, and a friendly for the Sweden national football team, before switching to the Syrian Arab Federation for Football.
He played his first official cap in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament for Syria against Tajikistan on 23 July 2011, thereby eliminating the possibility of playing for Sweden ever again. His international debut for the Syrian national team was in a friendly against IraqinArbil on 29 June 2011.[6]
In a controversial decision, FIFA disqualified Syria from the 2014 World Cup qualifiers for fielding Mourad, who previously represented Sweden in a U-21 UEFA qualifying tournament in 2003,[7] without seeking the administrative approval of FIFA for the switch. Tajikistan replaced Syria in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers as of 19 August 2011. Syrian Arab Federation for Football president Farouq Sarriyeh announced he would petition CAS to overturn the FIFA ban.[8]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Tromsø | 2010 | Tippeligaen | 25 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 8 |
| Portimonense | 2010–11 | Primeira Liga | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Mes Kerman | 2011–12 | Persian Gulf Cup | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Syrianska | 2012 | Allsvenskan | 18 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 3 |
| Career total | 57 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 62 | 13 | ||
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 July 2011 | King Abdullah Stadium, Amman, Jordan |  Tajikistan
|
2–1 | 2–1 | FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifying |
