Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed the signing of Sardar Azmoun from the summer of 2022, with the Iran international joining Zenit Saint Petersburg on a five-year deal.

Azmoun, a 27-year-old striker who loves goals and assists, will compete for a place in Leverkusen’s starting attack along with Patrik Schick and Lucas Alario when he makes the switch to Bundesliga football this summer.

“[It is] a step from the best club in Russia to one of the best leagues in Europe,” he told the Bundesliga club’s website.

“Bayer Leverkusen have a very good team. I’ve watched the club for a long time and I’m impressed with the team’s style of play. It’s incredibly exciting for me to be able to play in the Bundesliga soon. And I am convinced that I will make the team even better thanks to my skills as a footballer.

Capped 60 times by Iran, an impressive 39 goals for his country complete his World Cup cap in 2018 and two Asian Cup squads in 2015 and 2019.

As well as being the youngest Iranian to score in a UEFA Champions League game, he is also the Iranian record holder for most goals scored in the competition with six goals.

He has spent his entire professional career in the Russian top flight with two stints each at Rubin Kazan and Rostov before moving to Zenit in 2019.

In Saint Petersburg, he found the net 62 times in 104 appearances in all competitions. He was named Russian Footballer of the Year for 2021 and his impressive goalscoring stats have continued this season, in which he has scored 10 goals in 21 games, including two Champions League goals.

“We are delighted to have completed this transfer,” said Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes.

“Sardar Azmoun has been one of the top scorers in Russian football for several years. He was champion there three years in a row with Zenit, regularly played in the Champions League and showed himself to be of international class at the highest level. Our attack gains additional quality with him, Sardar will make our attack even more unpredictable and powerful.

General Director of Sport Rudi Völler added: “He is very fast, good in the air and has a good sense of space. But he’s not just a goalscorer. Sardar Azmoun also sets many goals and is a perfect fit for the Worker as a player who combines well with others.