PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aimar Hazar Anwar Sher |
| Date of Birth | 20/12/2002 (Age: 23) |
| Place of Birth | Kirkuk, Iraq |
| Nationality | Iraqi / Swedish |
| Height | 1.80–1.84 m / 5 ft 11 in–6 ft 0 in |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | — |
| Squad Number | #6 (Sarpsborg) |
| Current Club | Sarpsborg 08 |
| Previous Clubs | Hammarby IF, IK Frej (loan), Spezia, Groningen (loan) |
| International Caps | 10+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The story of Aimar Sher begins not with a goal or a trophy, but with a name. Born in 2002, he was named after the Argentinian playmaker Pablo Aimar, his father’s favourite player at the time. “It was 2002, the year I was born, Pablo Aimar was one of the best players in the world, he was my father’s favourite player,” Sher explained. “It was when Valencia won La Liga that year, so my father convinced my mother to name me after him, so of course it’s a fun story to have.”
Twenty-three years later, another Aimar is preparing to grace a World Cup. The Iraqi midfielder, who spent his childhood in Sweden and represented the country of his upbringing at youth level, made the switch to his birth nation in 2025. He was named in Iraq’s 26-man squad for the 2026 tournament, completing a journey that had begun with a father’s admiration for a footballing magician.
Origins
Born on December 20, 2002, in Kirkuk, Iraq, Sher moved to Sweden at the age of four with his Assyrian/Chaldean family. He grew up in Stockholm, beginning his football journey with local clubs Mälarhöjdens IK and Enskede IK before joining Hammarby IF’s academy in 2013.
Sher was part of Hammarby’s U17 Swedish championship-winning side in 2019. He represented Sweden at U17, U19, and U21 levels, but in February 2025, he completed a FIFA nationality switch to represent Iraq, the country of his birth.
The European Forge
Hammarby IF (2019-2021):
Sher made his competitive debut for Hammarby in August 2019 in the Svenska Cupen. On September 25, 2019, he made his Allsvenskan debut, becoming Hammarby’s youngest-ever league debutant at 16 years and nine months. He signed his first professional contract in November 2019. He scored his first senior goal in a 1-1 draw against BK Häcken on November 1, 2020. He won the 2020-21 Svenska Cupen with Hammarby, scoring his penalty in the shootout victory over BK Häcken.
Spezia & Groningen Loan (2021-2023):
In August 2021, Sher transferred to Spezia in Serie A for approximately €1.5 million, signing a five-year contract. He made his Serie A debut on October 3, 2021, in a 4-0 loss to Hellas Verona. In January 2023, he was loaned to Groningen in the Netherlands. On September 1, 2023, his contract with Spezia was terminated by mutual consent.
Sarpsborg 08 (2024-Present):
In January 2024, Sher joined Norwegian Eliteserien club Sarpsborg 08. He has made 46 league appearances for the club, establishing himself as a regular in midfield.
The Anatomy of His Game
Aimar Sher is a technically-gifted midfielder who draws stylistic comparisons to his namesake, Pablo Aimar. “I think you can see quite some similarities in our playing style, comfortable with the ball and this kind of stuff,” Sher has said. He is comfortable in possession and is known for his passing ability and composure in midfield.
International Record:
Sher has earned over 10 caps for Iraq since completing his nationality switch in February 2025. He was named in Iraq’s 26-man World Cup squad for the 2026 tournament.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Aimar Sher’s story is one of dual identity and the power of football to connect generations. Born in Iraq, raised in Sweden, and named after an Argentine idol, his journey reflects the multicultural fabric of modern football.
Sher is a devout Christian, and his parents sought a safer, happier childhood for him in Sweden. He prefers not to enter political debate, focusing instead on his role in bringing joy to his homeland’s supporters. In his own words: “I cannot explain it. This country has been through a lot in the last four years and to give them some love in this way would be something I can’t explain, so we’re ready to give them a lot of love.”
The Verdict from the Camp
Aimar Sher, Iraq midfielder:
“Of course [playing Norway at the World Cup would be] extremely fun. I’ve talked about it a lot with some of my team-mates, but first of all our focus is to win this game.”
“I cannot explain it. This country has been through a lot in the last four years and to give them some love in this way would be something I can’t explain, so we’re ready to give them a lot of love.”
Statistic:
Sher made his Hammarby debut at the age of 16 years and nine months, becoming the club’s youngest-ever league debutant.
Statistic:
Sher transferred to Spezia for a reported fee of around €1.5 million in August 2021.
Statistic:
Sher has made 46 league appearances for Sarpsborg 08 since joining in January 2024.
Where Next?
Aimar Sher is 23 years old and at the beginning of what promises to be a fascinating career. Having already played in Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway, he is a player with a broad footballing education. His World Cup debut for Iraq represents a significant milestone, and the exposure of the global stage could open new opportunities. For Iraq, Sher is part of a new generation of diaspora talent that is helping the nation re-establish itself on the world stage. His journey from a father’s admiration for Pablo Aimar to a World Cup squad is a testament to the enduring power of football to inspire across generations and borders.
