Iranian opposite Saadat joins Indonesian champion on loan
Iranian opposite spiker Bardia Saadat has sealed a loan move to Indonesian champion Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi ahead of the upcoming AVC Men’s Champions League – starting May 13 in Pontianak, Indonesia.
The 23-year-old Iranian international, who played for Alanya Spor in the Turkish top-flight’s newly finished campaign, is one of several world-class players to sign short-term contracts with the Indonesian outfit, which is eager to lift the trophy on home soil, having finished as runner-up and third in the 2023 and 2024 editions, respectively.
Slovenian outside hitter Rok Možič, who plays for Verona Volley in the Italian league; Cuban middle blocker Robertlandy Simón – a CEV Cup champion and MVP with Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza – as well as Malian opposite Noumory Keita, who won the AVC Champions League title with Al Rayyan last year, have also joined the Indonesian champion in recent days.
Saadat will be looking to deliver an impressive performance at the Asian elite clubs’ competition to boost his chances in the three-way battle for a place in the national team’s starting lineup – which also features Amin Esmaeilnejad and Ali Hajipour – ahead of a congested international season.
Iran will get its Volleyball Nations League campaign underway against Brazil in the first week of action in the preliminary round in Brasília on June 10.
Italian head coach Roberto Piazza’s team will also chase a fifth Asian Championship title in eight editions from September 4 in Fukuoka, Japan, where the top team will secure direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics.
A fourth consecutive men’s gold will be up for grabs when Iran takes part at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in September.