Denizli rejects Mahdavikia move

TEHRAN TIMES – TEHRAN, Newly appointed Persepolis coach Mustafa Denizli has rejected speculations that Damash midfielder Mehdi Mahdavikia will move to Persepolis.

Persepolis has reportedly negotiated with Mahdavikia to sign the former Hamburger player in the January transfer window.

Denizli, who joined Persepolis on Saturday on an 18-month contract, said the team will not sign the veteran midfielder in the transfer window.

Mahdavikia was due to join the Persepolis football team at the summer but the team’s coach Hamid Estili rejected an offer for him.

The 34-year-old player had said that he is keen to end his career at his former club Persepolis but Denizli is reluctant to sign the legendary midfielder.

Mahdavikia played three years for Persepolis before moving to VfL Bochum in 1998.

He also played for Hamburger SV and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Mahdavikia featured Hamburg SV All-Stars against Zidan & Ronaldo and Friends during “Match against Poverty” in Hamburg in mid-December.