Gulf Times - Al Gharafa unveiled their new recruit, Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi, at a Press conference on Wednesday night. The 25-year-old, who was signed for one-and-a-half seasons, was presented in the presence of Al Gharafa Sports Club President Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer al-Thani, former president Saad al-Rumaihi, Deputy Football Head Saad al-Shammari, ex-Al Gharafa players Adel Khamis, Mahmoud Sufi and Iraqi Younis Mahmoud, and current coach Bulent Uygun. Mehdi became Al Gharafa’s second signing in the current winter transfer period, after Dutch attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder.
The tall forward had an outstanding career with defending Iranian league champions Persepolis since 2014, donning the Iran national team jersey 22 times, scoring 10 goals. Al-Shammari exuded confidence that Mehdi would add teeth to the teams attack in the remaining part of the season, which also include their AFC Champions League engagements should they beat Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in play-off on 30th January.
Mehdi expressed his pleasure to be in Qatar and playing for Al Gharafa. “I was out of action for four months because of suspension over transfer, but I had training during this period with Persepolis in order to maintain my fitness,” said Taremi, who thanked the Al Gharafa officials for the confidence shown in his abilities. Younis presented Mehdi with the No.9 shirt which he donned at Al Gharafa.
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