Professional footballer Adnan Ahmed is playing for Iranian club Aboomoslem.

Tell us about your new club?

For starters all those thinking football is a stroll in the park here in Iran well let me tell you that’s definitely not the case the training routine has been totally different to what I’ve ever experienced before with three sessions in a day being the norm for a week of pre-season training. That includes a 10km mountain run!

You have been playing outside of the UK for many months now with different clubs. What do you miss most about Lancashire?

One thing which i ve certainly missed during my time away and sticks out for me are the great restaurants available in Lancashire especially Bukhara which is a favourite of mine.

Do you think there are many misconceptions about Iran and it’s people in the west?

I actually travelled here with another footballer and good friend Chris Brandon. Before we set off he must found every negative press about Iran that was possible so as you can imagine I was petrified when I heard the mullet was outlawed especially when I was growing my hair!

To be honest we ve both been pleasantly surprised. The people are really friendly and have been very helpful in times of need like getting lost.

With Chris being a traditional English man he really feared walking down the street he might get attacked but that has been far from the truth in fact the people respect foreigners a lot and give you that extra care.

Have you ever kept a fast and played a full game?

Fasting is very important to me. I try to keep all of my fasts but on match days at the level I play at it is very difficult and dangerous for my health so for that reason I make the fast up at another time.

Fasting is very important and special time of the year for Muslims, it certainly brings about a spiritual feeling and for me fasting really makes me appreciate everything I have.

What is the most memorable goal you have ever scored?

I have to say the goal against Stockport for Huddersfield town, we had to win the game has we were struggling in the league and I scored to make it 4-3 with a volley from the edge of the box, it was a great feeling.

What is the strangest stadium you have ever played in?

In Hungary sometimes you had the feeling any moment the fans are going to run onto the pitch and attack you because the stands are so close to the pitch and easy access!

Who has been your most difficult opponent?

That definitely has to be Joe Cole. One to forget, I’d just come back from injury and it was one step to early for me and Joe Coles movement was incredible and unfortunately I saw the back of his boots more often than I would of liked.

What effect did your family have you when you were growing-up?

Its a question which I can’t sum up in words. The support from day one has been exceptional. We all know Asian mums would prefer it if you were at home studying but she was there when I needed her.

When I look back at all the travelling that was needed for me to get where I am today that needs great commitment from other s and between my dad, older brother Majid, uncles and cousins they took me to where I needed to be at all costs so I appreciate that very much.

When you are not playing football name one hobby we don’t know of?

I’m the type of person who cant sit still, I need to be learning and testing myself so i m always doing new things. In the past I spent a lot of time learning Arabic and recently I’ve set up my own business so I’m enjoying the challenge of learning new things.

Time is precious so its important to utilise it to the best of your ability.

What would you say to any young player looking to become a professional footballer?

Dedication and hard are basis of becoming a professional.

Football is a sport where if you’re not working your hardest then you'll end up going backwards because if you’re not putting the effort in guaranteed someone else is and he will succeed not you.

So it is very important that you give yourself the best possible chance to succeed nothing in life comes easy and there will be times where you feel so down but you have to keep going because you never know how close you actually are to making it.

That comes from personal experience where i were thinking this isn’t working but I kept working hard and a door opened which I never expected.