Mohamed Atikuzzaman

Mohamed Atikuzzaman (মোহাম্মদ আতিকুজ্জামান; born 10 October 1999) is a Bangladeshi professional footballer who plays as a defender. Mainly a right-back, he can also play as either a left-back or centre-back.

Early career
In 2009, Atik gave medical examinations for the Sherpur District team for the JFA U-15 Cup, while attending a school cricket match at the Shahid Muktijoddha Smriti Stadium. Although he was originally intreseted in cricket, his focus shifted to football after being selected for his district team. In 2013, he trained in the BFF Sylhet Academy and also participated in the 2013 SAFF U-16 Championship. In 2014, he came to Dhaka and went onto win the BFF U-18 Football Tournament with Mohammedan SC U-18 while also receiving the tournaments Best Player Award. His performances saw coach Syed Golam Jilani recall him to the Bangladesh U16 team the following year. During the 2015–16 season, he led Dilkusha SC to win the Dhaka Third Division League.

Victoria SC
In 2016, Atik joined second-tier club Victoria SC for the 2015–16 Bangladesh Championship League, after being involved with youth international football the previous few years. On 18 December 2016, he scored his first professional league goal by slotting in a penalty, in a 1–3 defeat to Saif Sporting Club.

Arambagh KS
In 2017, Atik joined Arambagh KS in the Bangladesh Premier League, a club which is known to foccus on giving game time to local talents. On 5 August 2017, he made his top-tier debut during a 0–1 defeat to Saif Sporting Club. He remained ever-present during their 2017–18 Independence Cup triumph, which marked the club's first-ever domestic silverware in its history. His last appearance for the club came on 20 July 2019, coming on as a stoppage time substitute in a 6–3 victory over Rahmatganj MFS. He departed the club after the 2018–19 league season concluded, with 10 league appearances in two seasons.

Mohammedan SC
In 2019, Atik joined Mohammedan SC. He made his league debut against his former club Arambagh KS, on 14 February 2020. However, his first season at the club was hampered, as domestic football in the country was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following year, Atik played both in defence and in midfield, under coach Sean Lane. He scored two goals in the 2020–21 Federation Cup, one of which came in the quarter-finals against Saif Sporting Club. Mohammedan ended up losing the game 6–7 on penalties, as Atik missed their final spot kick.

On 24 August 2021, he scored his first top-tier league goal, as Mohammedan defeated Muktijoddha Sangsad KC 2–0. The same day, Atik was called up to the Bangladesh national team for a 2021 Three Nations Cup in Kyrgyzstan. His final year at the club saw him make 21 appearances in the league, his highest in a single season and following the leagues conclusion, Atik was the subject of numerous transfter rumors.

Sheikh Jama Dhanmondi Club
In December 2019, it was reported that Atik had taken transfer money from both Mohammedan SC, Abahani Limited Dhaka and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. Following the report, Mohammedan management filed a complaint to the Bangladesh Football Federation. Nonetheless, Atik joined Sheikh Jamal for the 2021–22 season, after he declared he would return the money he had taken from the other two clubs.

He appeared in the 2021 Independence Cup, against both Uttar Baridhara Club and Bashundhara Kings. Atik found limited game time in his lone year with the Dhanmondi based club, scoring his first goal, on 17 February 2021, in a league fixture against Rahmatganj MFS.

Bashundhara Kings
In 2022, Atik moved to Bashundhara Kings. However, after not making a single appearance for the team in any competition, he joined Muktijoddha Sangsad KC on loan during the second phase of the 2022–23 league season. On 4 April 2023, he made his debut Muktijoddha against his parent club Bashundhara Kings during the 2022–23 Federation Cup. On 8 April 2023, he scored for the club in his league debut, as they were dismantled 1–6 by Mohammedan SC.

International career
In 2015, Atik was an integral part the Bangladesh U16 team which won the 2015 SAFF U-16 Championship. He scored group-stage goals against both Sri Lanka U16 and India U16. He also converted his penalty as Bangladesh won the final 4–2 on penalties against India U16.

In 2017, Atik played for the Bangladesh U23 team in the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers, under coach Andrew Ord. In the same year, he was selected for the Bangladesh U19 team which participated in the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers. On 6 November 2017, he scored a stoppage time own goal against Uzbekistan U19 in a 0–1 defeat. Nonetheless, his solid defensive performance during the game was praised by local media outlets.

On 9 September 2021, following their 2021 Three Nations Cup exit, coach Jamie Day played Atik in an unofficial friendly between the Bangladesh national team and Kyrgyzstan U23, which ended in a 2–3 defeat. In 2023, he made the final national squad for the initially delayed 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Personal life
Atik is the oldest among three brothers, and was broutht up in Sherpur District of Bangladesh. In 2013, Atik's father Mohamed Badiuzzaman died of a stroke. However, due to Atik's mother, Hamida Begum, being the second wife, his family did not receive any financial support. His mother had to work as a cook in a hotel to support the family. According to Atik, his early life circumstances had given him even more desire to pursue a football career and achieve financial stability. In 2017, Atik was offered a job in the Bangladesh Air Force, however, he decided to focus on football and rejected the offer.

Honours
Dilkusha SC
 * Dhaka Third Division League: 2015

Arambagh KS
 * Independence Cup: 2017–18

Bangladesh U16
 * SAFF U-16 Championship: 2015

Individual
 * 2014 − BFF U-18 Football Tournament Best Player Award.