Karim Ansarifard aiming for promotion after finally penning Nottingham Forest deal

Nottingham Live – NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, The Iranian went straight into the squad for Saturday’s clash with Sheffield United and made his debut.

New Nottingham Forest signing Karim Ansarifard says he is aiming for promotion with the Reds after completing a protracted move from Olympiakos.

The Iranian international, 28, penned a one-and-a-half-year contract at the City Ground on Saturday, finally bringing to an end a drawn-out saga.

He had his contract terminated with his former club in August to complete his move to the East Midlands. However, due to work permit issues, he has only just been given clearance to join the Championship club.

Having finally arrived at Forest, Ansarifard said that he he is striving for Premier League football with the Reds next season after making his debut in the final stages against Sheffield United on Saturday.

“Before I came here, I spoke with manager, with the club and with the owner. Our goal is to get promoted and be in the Premier League next season,” he told iFollow Forest.

“For sure, we are not in the Championship to be part of this league. We are trying our best to be at a higher level next season and in the Premier League. I think everybody tries.

“Until now I think we’ve had some good results and we still have to work harder. We need to try our best to be in the Premier League.”

Ansarifard has travelled all over the world throughout his career, even getting a taste of European football in Greece with former employers Olympiacos.

The forward revealed that he was delighted to finally experience the English game, especially with a club of Forest’s standing.

He said: “I really am so happy and so proud to be part of this historic club.

“I think it is going to be an amazing season for me to try my best here and to give 100 percent in every single game. I can’t wait to start with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

“English football is one of the top leagues in the world and we all know how competitive it is and how difficult it is because there is so much competition. It is really, really tough.”

Ansarifard, a key member of Iran’s World Cup squad in Russia this summer, has not played any domestic football since the tournament. Despite that, he has suggested that will not stop him from putting in maximum effort with Aitor Karanka’s men.

He said: “I think it is going to be really hard but I am ready to work harder and try my best in training and in each game to be fit and to try my best for our team.

“I am happy for that and really I like to fight and always be a hard worker.”

The striker scored 22 goals in 48 games in his time in Greece, a prolific record that Reds’ fans will be hoping he replicates at the City Ground.

Ansarifard suggested that he is aiming to get supporters off of their seats by finding the back of the net with as much regularity as possible.

“Hopefully, I can make the fans happy. My position is a striker so my job is to score.

“I will try my best to score in every game and I will try to help my teammates on the pitch.”