Esteghlal Football Club (Persian: باشگاه فوتبال استقلال;, commonly known as Esteghlal, is an Iranian football club based in Tehran that competes in the Persian Gulf Pro League. The club was founded in 1945 as 'The Cyclists' and was known as Tâj between 1949 and 1979. The club is part of the multisport club Esteghlal Athletic and Cultural Company of Iran. They were the first team to reach 1,000 points in Persian Gulf Pro League.
Docharkheh Savaran (Taj) Team in 1946
Ali Danaeifard, club player and manager from 1946 until 1969
Büyük Jeddikar is known for being the first footballer in Iranian football history to be transferred from an Iranian club TAJ (Esteghlal) to a foreign club in 1957.
TAJ squad in 1970 as national and continental champions
The Persian Gulf Pro League, formerly known as the Iran Premier League, is the highest division of professional football in Iran. Each year, its top team becomes the Iranian football champion, and the two lowest finishers are relegated to Azadegan League.
Persepolis players celebrating winning 2017–18 season
Esteghlal Khuzestan celebrate their championship in 2016.