Andranik Timotian-Samarani,[1] commonly known as Andranik "Ando" Teymourian (Armenian: Անդրանիկ Թէյմուրեան; Persian: آندرانيک تیموریان, romanized: Ândrânik Teymuryân, born 6 March 1983) is an Iranian retired professional footballer who usually played as a defensive midfielder, but could also play as a wide midfielder.

In late August 2006 he signed a two-year deal with FA Premier League club Bolton Wanderers, for an undisclosed fee, after being granted a work permit.

[4] He scored his first two goals for Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup third round in a 4–0 win over Doncaster Rovers on 6 January 2007, in only his third appearance.

[citation needed] His first two league goals came during a man-of-the-match performance against local rivals Wigan Athletic on 7 April 2007.

On 19 September 2010, Teymourian returned to Iran to join the Tabriz-based club Tractor, the move marked the end of his career in England.

[23] He left the club halfway through the season in January 2016 after a disagreement with the head coach, Bülent Uygun, and with only 14 appearances.

[24] On 19 January 2016, Teymourian signed a six-month deal with Saipa, having previously been linked with Tehran-based club Esteghlal and Thailand's Buriram United.

In July 2016 Teymourian returned to Tabriz and signed a one–year contract with newly promoted Persian Gulf Pro League club Machine Sazi.

Teymourian played for Iran national teams at the youth level, before being selected to take part with the senior side.

Pictures of an emotionally and physically drained Teymourian at the end of Iran's last game of the 2006 World Cup have begun to take the shape of Iranian football's most notable photograph from the event.

The midfielder cemented his spot as a starter next to Javad Nekounam, leading Iran to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Prior to the start of qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Teymourian was appointed as the new captain for Iran after Javad Nekounam's retirement.