Jihad Ayoub

Jihad Khaled Ayoub (جهاد خالد أيوب; born 30 March 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre-back for for club Safa. Born in Venezuela to Lebanese parents, Ayoub plays for the Lebanon national team.

Early career
Born in Venezuela, Ayoub played for various youth academies in Venezuela, Argentina and England, as well as the under-21 team of Maltese side Melita.

Ayoub joined Lebanese Premier League side Ahed in January 2017, helping them lift the league title in 2016–17. He was sent on a one-year loan to Lebanese Second Division side Shabab Sahel for the 2017–18 season, where they finished in first place and were promoted to the Premier League.

Bekaa
He moved to Bekaa on a free transfer in summer 2018. On 24 February 2019, Ayoub assisted both of Bekaa's goals against Ansar in a 2–2 draw. He finished the season with two goals in 20 games, and was regarded as one of the club's best-performing players in the 2018–19 season.

Ansar
Following a trial with the club, Ayoub joined Ansar on a two-year contract in May 2019. Having extended his contract in July 2020, Ayoub announced his decision to end his contract in March 2021. He returned to the club the same month, and helped Ansar win the domestic double (league and Lebanese FA Cup) in 2020–21. Ayoub renewed his contract in July 2021.

PSS Sleman
On 6 July 2022, Ayoub joined Indonesian club PSS Sleman.

International career
Ayoub made his international debut for Lebanon on 1 December 2021, as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Egypt at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup. In December 2023, Ayoub was included in the Lebanese squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

Honours
Ahed
 * Lebanese Premier League: 2016–17

Shabab Sahel
 * Lebanese Second Division: 2017–18

Ansar
 * Lebanese Premier League: 2020–21
 * Lebanese FA Cup: 2020–21; runner-up: 2021–22
 * Lebanese Elite Cup: 2019
 * Lebanese Super Cup: 2021