Udinese to officially present Iraqi defender Ali Adnan on Friday

One of Iraqi football's greatest exports is heading to the Stadio Friuli.

Udinese Calcio announced that 21-year-old left-back Ali Adnan, who was born in Baghdad, Iraq, will be presented at the club Friday alongside sporting director Cristiano Giaretta.

Adnan is dubbed as "Asia's Gareth Bale" and will become the first Iraqi player to ever feature in Serie A upon joining Udinese from Turkish club Caykur Rizespor, with whom he made 10 Super Lig appearances last season. He also appeared at the Asian Cup in January, guiding Iraq to a fourth-place finish.

Off the pitch, Andan became a viral sensation last year, when he was photographed in military gear alongside soldiers involved in fighting against the Islamic State (ISIS).

Some reports insisted he had decided to take up arms against ISIS, while others claimed he had been called up for a short period of military training. Rizespor, however, denied those allegations and said Adnan was simply visiting troops during a holiday in Baghdad, and he joined the club ahead of the 2014-15 season. Nonetheless, his bravery was celebrated widely online.

- With h/t to International Business Times