Ameen Al-Dakhil (; born 6 March 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club VfB Stuttgart. Born in Iraq, he played for the Belgium national team.
Early life Al-Dakhil was born in Iraq, and moved to Belgium with his family at the age of 5, as a refugee during the Iraq War. He began playing football with the youth academies of Kortenaken, Hoegaarden-Outgaarden, Tienen, Anderlecht and Standard Liège. Originally a striker, Al-Dakhil was then converted to a centre-back.
Club career
Standard Liege Al-Dakhil made his professional debut for Standard Liège on 23 July 2021, in a 1–1 Belgian First Division A tie with Genk.
Sint–Truiden On 31 January 2022, Al-Dakhil moved to fellow Belgian side Sint-Truiden on a permanent deal.
Burnley On 13 January 2023, Al-Dakhil joined English side Burnley for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the club. On 31 January 2024, he scored his first goal for Burnley against Manchester City in a 3–1 defeat, becoming the first player born in Iraq to score in the Premier League.
VfB Stuttgart On 27 August 2024, Al-Dakhil signed for Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart on a four-year deal.
International career Born in Iraq, Al-Dakhil was raised in Belgium and France and holds both Belgian and French citizenship. He has been a youth international for Belgium, having represented the under-17, under-18 and under-21 national teams.
In October 2020, he was called up to represent the Iraqi squad at the AFC U-19 Championship, but the tournament was eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June 2023 he was called up to the senior Belgium squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Austria and Estonia on 17 and 20 June 2023 respectively.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStandard Liège2021–22Belgian Pro League13010——140Sint-Truidense2021–22Belgian Pro League90———902022–23Belgian Pro League16030——190Total25030——280Burnley2022–23Championship8040——1202023–24Premier League1311030—171Total2115030—291VfB Stuttgart2024–25Bundesliga7010—301102025–26Bundesliga8000—00802026–27Bundesliga0010—1020Total15020—40210VfB Stuttgart II2024–253. Liga20———202025–263. Liga10———10Total30———30Career total7711103040951
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBelgium202340202420Total60
References
External links
ACFF Profile