Daei gained a degree in metallurgical engineering, and began his club career at 19 at his local club Esteghlal Ardabil, before playing for a string of clubs in Tehran. In a four-year spell at Bank Tejarat, the striker, with a commanding height of 1.93 metres, caught the attention of the national team. He was called up to “Team Melli” in 1993, bursting onto the scene with seven goals in World Cup qualification matches. Compulsory military service stunted his progress over the next two years, denying him a transfer to the Japanese J-League. He was then advised by the national team coach to join one biggest football clubs, Persepolis, if he wanted to rejoin Team Melli.
