Tehran Times - Persepolis midfielder Bashar Resan left Persepolis football team on Saturday to join Iraq U-23 football team.
Iraq have been drawn in Group C of the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship along with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Malaysia.
The competition will be held in China from Jan. 9 to 27.
Resan, who joined Persepolis from Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya on a two-year contract, is a key player for the Iranian team and his absence would be a huge blow to the team.
Resan was a member of Iraqi football team who finished in third place in the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship held in Qatar.
Persepolis sit top of the table in Iran Professional League, nine points ahead of Foolad.
Iraq U-23 football team won the title in the first edition which was held in Oman in 2014.