Sepahan sign Khalatbari

PFDC – ESFAHAN, Reigning Persian Gulf league champions and Asian Champions League quarterfinalists Sepahan Esfahan have signed Iranian international Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari from Al Wasl.

The sizzling offensive allrounder had joined Qatari outfit Al Gharafa last summer form Zob Ahan, before being transferred to UAE’s Al Wasl during the winter break.

Although Al Wasl coach Diego Maradona was keen to keep the 28-year-old, a ban on Iranian football by the UAE forced the club to let the 47-times Iranian international go.

Beside Sepahan, Tehran giants Esteghlal and Persepolis were eager to add Khalatbari to their roster.

Sepahan have let go goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi (to Saipa), centerbacks Jalal Hosseini and Mohsen Bengar (both Persepolis) as well as striker Bruno Cesar (Al Nasr, UAE) during the summer transfer window. Also playmaker Fabio Januario is on the brink of leaving the club after reportedly having fallen apart with coach Zlatko Kranjcar and is close to inking a deal with Esteghlal.

Meanwhile young goalkeeping talent Bagher Sadeghi, central defender Farshid Talebi (both from Zob Ahan), midfielders Adel Kolahkaj (Mes Kerman) and Milad Zanidpour as well as strikers Mohammad Gholami (both Damash Gilan) and Radomir Dalovic (Amkar Perm, RUS) joined Iran’s most successful club since the foundation of the Iran’s professional league.