Ebrahim Sadeghi – Iran’s longest serving football player hangs up his boots

Tasnim – TEHRAN, Saipa midfielder Ebrahim Sadeghi announced his retirement from football after 17 years.

The 38-year-old player hung his boots after the match against Machine Sazi on Thursday.

Saipa had to defeat already relegated Machine Sai to avoid Iran Professional League relegation and eventually won the match in the injury time.

Sadeghi joined Keshavarz Karaj at the age of thirteen and played at the club until 1995, where he was spotted by Persepolis and joined their academy.

After three years at Persepolis he joined Moghavemat Tehran before settling at Saipa a year later.

Sadeghi graduated from the Saipa youth ranks and was signed to the club in 2000. He has played for Saipa for his entire. His good performances since 2006–07 season made big clubs to show some interest.

In 2008 Sadeghi was nominated for Asian Footballer of the Year but failed to win the award. He played in AFC Champions League for Saipa and continued to play for the club in 2008–09 season.

Sadeghi, nicknamed ‘Loyal Orange’, played for Saipa 434 matches during 15 seasons at the Iran Professional League and scored 37 goals.

He made his first cap for Iran national football team in January 2007 in a friendly match against the UAE and scored in his debut.

Sadeghi was selected among Iran’s final squad participating in the 2007 Asian Cup and was also called up for 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying.

Sadeghi played in West Asian Football Federation Championship 2008 and won the cup.