Nahir Besara crowned Allsvenskan's player of the year
Swedish-Assyrian footballer Nahir Besara has been named Player of the Year in Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top tier, after a standout season.
Nahir Besara, the Swedish-Assyrian captain of Hammarby IF, was honoured as both Best Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year at the Allsvenskan Gala, the annual event of the top tier of the Swedish football league system, on 19 November. The double triumph capped off a remarkable season for the midfield maestro, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s most influential figures and marking a proud moment of representation for Assyrians in European football.
Born in Södertälje, Sweden, Nahir Besara stands among the most accomplished Assyrian footballers in the country’s modern era. He began his senior career with Assyriska FF in the Superettan league, debuting in 2008 at just 17 years old and quickly establishing himself as a composed and creative midfielder. During this early period, he also represented Sweden at both U17 and U19 levels.
A Meaningful Return
Besara’s career took a significant step forward in January 2013 when he signed a three-year deal with Hammarby IF. Under coach Nanne Bergstrand in 2014, he delivered a standout campaign, scoring seven goals in 26 matches, including a memorable hat-trick against Östersunds FK. His performances were instrumental in securing Hammarby’s long-awaited promotion back to the Allsvenskan.
In 2015, Besara moved abroad to join Göztepe SK in Turkey’s second division, departing Hammarby as their top scorer at mid-season. After his time in Turkey, he returned to Sweden with Örebro SK in 2016, where he again became a central figure. Short spells followed with Al-Fayha in Saudi Arabia and Pafos FC in Cyprus, as well as a brief move to Hatta Club in the UAE in 2021.
He returned to Örebro shortly after, before making an emotional homecoming to Hammarby in February 2022, rejoining the club where he had left a lasting imprint.
In 2024, Besara earned his long-awaited debut for the Swedish national team in a friendly against Estonia, joining fellow Assyrian-Swedish players Jimmy Durmaz and Mikael Ishak in representing Sweden at the senior level.
- The Assyria Post
Award-Winning Form
The 2025 Allsvenskan season may well go down as the finest of Besara’s career. His influence was undeniable, and the Allsvenskan Gala reflected that, recognising him as both Midfielder of the Year and the league’s Best Player, two of Swedish football’s most prestigious individual honours.
Under Besara’s captaincy, Hammarby IF surged to a strong second-place finish behind Mjällby. He delivered an outstanding return of 17 goals and 4 assists, finishing as the league’s third-highest goal scorer while also driving Hammarby’s creativity and tempo in midfield. His combination of leadership, consistency, and decisive impact made him indispensable to the team’s success.
At 34, Besara may soon be contemplating the next chapter of his football journey. Yet his career stands as a testament to the talent within the Assyrian community, and to the foundational role of Assyrian-run clubs such as Assyriska FF, which continue to develop exceptional footballers who make their mark on the global stage.
