Milad Sarlak

Milad Sarlak (Persian: میلاد سرلک; born 26 March 1995) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Persian Gulf Pro League club Persepolis and the Iran national team.^[1]

Milad Sarlak

Sarlak with training Persepolis in 2020
Personal information
Full name	Milad Sarlak
Date of birth	(1995-03-26) 26 March 1995 (age 30)
Place of birth	Isfahan, Iran
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Persepolis
Number	10
Youth career
2010–2014	Sepahan
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2019	Sepahan	73	(2)
2019	Nassaji	12	(0)
2019–2020	Shahr Khodro	13	(0)
2020–	Persepolis	109	(6)
2024	→ Malavan (loan)	6	(0)
International career‡
2012–2014	Iran U20	8	(2)
2017-2019	Iran U23	2	(0)
2021–	Iran	13	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 12 September 2023

Personal life

Milad Sarlak was born on 26 March 1995 in Isfahan, Iran, where he grew up and began his football career. He holds Iranian nationality and comes from a supportive family, though specific details about his parents’ identities are not publicly disclosed. Sarlak has shared glimpses of his personal life on social media, including a 2017 Instagram post featuring his mother, indicating a close familial bond. Beyond his football career, Sarlak maintains an active presence on Instagram, where he has amassed over 783,000 followers as of 2022, engaging with fans and occasionally sharing insights into his life off the pitch. There is no publicly available information regarding his marital status or other personal relationships.^[2][3][4]

Club career

Sepahan

Born in Isfahan, Sarlak joined the academy of Sepahan in 2010. He was promoted to the first team in 2014 and made his professional debut on 10 December 2014, at the age of 19, in a 4–1 win against Gostaresh Foolad. Sarlak became a regular member of the starting 11 in the 2016–17 season.

Sarlak scored his first professional goal on 2 February 2017 in a 3–2 loss to Paykan.

Persepolis

Sarlak (left) in a match against Havadar in 2022

On 5 September 2020, Sarlak signed a two-year contract with Persian Gulf Pro League champions Persepolis.^[5][6]

International career

He made his debut on 11 June 2021 against Cambodia.

Player profile

Style of play

Sarlak playing for Iran against Lebanon in 2022

Milad Sarlak is recognized as a versatile and dependable defensive midfielder, known for his tactical awareness and physical presence on the pitch. Standing at 1.81 meters (5 feet 11 inches), he combines athleticism with a strong work rate, enabling him to cover significant ground during matches. Sarlak’s primary role is to anchor the midfield, breaking up opposition plays with well-timed tackles and interceptions. His ability to read the game allows him to position himself effectively, often acting as a shield for the defensive line. While predominantly defensive, Sarlak is also capable of contributing to build-up play, distributing the ball with composure to initiate attacks. He has occasionally played as a central midfielder, showcasing his adaptability. His right-footed precision aids in maintaining possession under pressure, though he is not typically known for goal-scoring, with his contributions often measured by his defensive reliability and team-oriented play. Sarlak’s performances have been praised for their consistency, earning him a reputation as a key player for both Persepolis and the Iran national team.^{[7][8][9][10][11][12]}

Club career statistics

As of 15 May 2025

Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Iran			League		Hazfi Cup		Asia		Other		Total
2014–15	Sepahan	Pro League	6	0	0	0	0	0	—		6	0
2015–16			10	0	0	0	0	0			10	0
2016–17			28	1	4	0	4	0			36	1
2017–18			25	1	1	0	0	0			26	1
2018–19			4	0	2	0	—				6	0
Total			73	2	7	0	4	0	—		84	2
2019–20	Nassaji	Pro League	12	0	1	0	—		—		13	0
	Shahr Khodro		13	0	0	0	4	0			17	0
Total			25	0	1	0	4	0	—		30	0
2020–21	Persepolis	Pro League	29	2	3	0	13	0	1	0	46	2
2021–22			27	1	3	0	2	0	0	0	32	1
2022–23			26	2	5	0	—		—		31	2
2023–24			12	0	0	0	4	0	—		16	0
2024–25			15	1	0	0	2	0	1	0	18	1
2025–26			0	0	0	0	—		—		0	0
Total			109	6	11	0	21	0	2	0	143	6
2023–24	Malavan (loan)	Pro League	6	0	2	0	—		—		8	0
Career total			213	8	21	0	29	0	2	0	265	8

International

As of 12 September 2023.

Iran
Year	Apps	Goals
2021	6	0
2022	5	0
2023	2	0
Total	13	0

Honours

Club

Sepahan

• Persian Gulf Pro League (1): 2014–15

Persepolis

• Persian Gulf Pro League (2): 2020–21, 2022–23
• Hazfi Cup (1): 2022–23
• Iranian Super Cup (1): 2020 ; Runner-up: 2021
• AFC Champions League Runner-up: 2020