05/23/2026
Aimar Hazar Anwar Sher was born on December 20, 2002, in Kirkuk, Iraq, to ethnic Assyrian parents. When he was just four years old, his family relocated from Iraq to Sweden, settling in Stockholm.
When Sher was born, the Argentinian legend Pablo Aimar was busy mesmerizing European football with Valencia, his father's admiration turned into a lifelong legacy for his newborn son. He convinced his wife to name the boy "Aimar" in honor of his absolute favorite player. Today, he proudly carries the name, delighted by the fact that his namesake was also the player Lionel Messi idolized growing up.
Sher grew up playing for local youth clubs like Mälarhöjdens IK and Enskede IK before entering the academy of the prominent Swedish club Hammarby IF in 2013. He made his competitive first-team debut for Hammarby in August 2019 at just 16 years old. A month later, he became the club's youngest-ever debutant in the Swedish top-flight league (Allsvenskan). He quickly established himself as a fixture in the midfield, even helping the club win the Svenska Cupen (Swedish Cup) in the 2020–21 season by confidently converting a penalty in the shootout.
While coming up through the academy at Hammarby IF, a 17-year-old Sher found himself training alongside Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimović (who owns a stake in the club). Zlatan took the young midfielder under his wing to give him tips on his game. Knowing that Sher's childhood idol was Brazilian icon Kaká, Zlatan actually reached out to his former AC Milan teammate and got Kaká to send a personalized video message straight to Sher.
Sher early success caught the attention of major leagues. In August 2021, he transferred to Italian Serie A side Spezia on a five-year deal. He later spent time on loan with FC Groningen in the Netherlands before eventually signing with Norwegian club Sarpsborg 08, where he plays today.
As of his international journey, Sher originally represented Sweden across various youth national levels (including the U17, U19, and U21 squads). However, in early 2025, FIFA officially approved his request to switch his international allegiance to Iraq, allowing him to proudly represent his birth nation on the senior international stage. He quickly became an integral part of the Iraq National Team. He has already earned 5 caps, making crucial appearances during Iraq's intensive 21-match World Cup qualifying grind. Most notably, he just played a massive role in Iraq’s high-stakes World Cup Play-Off tournament, anchoring the midfield in their dramatic 2–1 victory over Bolivia. After the historic whistle, Sher and the four Assyrian teammates shared a beautiful moment on the pitch, proudly holding up the Assyrian flag to celebrate their heritage. This monumental win officially secures Iraq's spot in the 2026 World Cup, marking only their second appearance in tournament history and ending a 40-year absence from the world stage!
** Biography and photos compiled by Sargon Alkurge - May 23, 2026
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