Karimi happy for Persepolis homecoming

MNA – TEHRAN, Ali Karimi said that on Saturday he is so happy to return to Persepolis football team.

Free agent midfielder signed a one-year contract worth approximately $400,000 with Persepolis on Saturday.

“Returning to Persepolis has given me a great pleasure. I want to play for the Persepolis for the remaining years,” Karimi said. “I had offers from the Emirati clubs but preferred to join Persepolis. Thanks to Mr. Kashani (Persepolis General Manager) to give me the opportunity to return to my team,” he added.

Karimi, popularly known as the “Wizard of Tehran”, had joined Schalke 04 in the winter transfer window on a six-month contract that ended recently. He came off the bench for the last six minutes against Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal where the German club beat defending champion Inter Milan 5-2. He also played once in Bundeliga against Kaiserlautern

Karimi joined Persepolis in 1998 and then left the team for Al Ahli of the UAE in 2001. The 33-year-old player inked a two-year deal with Bayern Munich in 2005. Karimi has played for Qatar SC and Al Sailiya as well as Iranian club Steel Azin.

The 32-year-old player has played 112 times for Iran’s national team and scored 36 goals.