Hertha Berlin's Ashkan Dejagah ready to join Iranian national team

IRNA - Hertha Berlin striker Ashkan Dejagah is willing to join the Iranian national team, if he is nominated by Iran's coach Branko Ivankovic, Ashkan's father Mohammad Dejagah confirmed to IRNA in Berlin on Wednesday.

"My son told me he wants to play for the Iranian national football team. However we have not been contacted yet officially by the Iranian Football Federation," Mohammad Dejagah said.

"Two weeks ago I had a phone conversation with Reza Fazeli who I think, is acting on behalf of the Iranian Football Federation. We were supposed to meet in Berlin with Fazeli these days but nothing has happened yet," he added.

His comments followed earlier statements by Ivankovic who announced that he intended to call up two German Bundesliga players of Iranian origin.

Ivankovic was referring to Hertha Berlin forward Ashkan Dejagah and Hansa Rostock striker Amir Shapourzadeh.

Dejagah who plays for the Under-19 German national squad is regarded by sports experts as one of Germany's future football hopes.