It seems strange that Tariq’s name is still being sprung around as one of Asia most exciting youngsters, for the Iraqi winger seems to have been around forever. But the fact is, the new Esteghlal signing is still just 22 with his best years well ahead of him.

Having won an incredible four UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona as part of what was arguably the greatest club side to ever play the game, Spanish midfielder Xavi Hernandez was a huge coup for Al Sadd when he joined in 2015.

The 26-year-old has spent his entire professional senior career with Al Ain, marking this as his first move out of the United Arab Emirates.

With Al Ain since 2008, the 2016 AFC Player of the Year has a cabinet filled with trophies playing for The Boss, which includes multiple individual honours, four UAE Pro League titles, a UAE League Cup in 2009, three UAE Super Cup and three UAE President's Cup.

August 26

Islamic Republic of Iran international Saman Ghoddos has signed a five-year contract with French side Amiens SC.

The Swedish-born Iranian began his professional career in Sweden's Division 1 Limhamn Bunkeflo in 2011 and Trelleborg in 2013 before progressing to the Superettan a year later with Syrianska.

By the time the quarter-finals rolled around last year, Omar Abdulrahman led the AFC Champions League scoring race with seven goals but Omar Khrbin eventually won the prize with 10 goals. This year, we have not one, but two players who have already hit nine goals ahead of the quarter-finals; Baghdad Bounedjah and Youssef El Arabi.

While seven-goal man Mame Baba Thiam has swapped Esteghlal for Ajman in the UAE Pro League, two players continue to keep the pressure on the North African duo. Dejan Damjanovic and Kim Shin-wook are both on five goals, but only one of them will advance into the semi-finals as their teams clash in the last eight.

The 19-year-old arrived in the United Kingdom on Wednesday to finalise the terms of the transfer.

One of the brightest young talents to have emerged from Australian football in recent years, Arzani became the youngest ever player to be named in a FIFA World Cup squad for the Australia national team when he travelled to Russia this summer.

He was also the youngest player in the tournament, and came on as a substitute in the latter stages of the Socceroos group stage game against France.

Since its inception in 2002, the AFC Champions League has delivered endless moments of magic. Some of the biggest names in Asian football introduced themselves to the continent through this competition, and amongst them were some mesmerising talents who left a lasting legacy through their playmaking and scoring talents.

From multiple-time winners to record breaking scorers, we celebrate five players who added to the glamour and mystique of the number 10 shirt in the AFC Champions League.