HSV says no plans yet to release Mahdavikia

IRNA - A top Hamburger SV official said Monday there are no plans for now to transfer Mehdi Mahdavikia to another club.

"It's a fact he has a contract with us and at the present time we don't wish to release him. We need excellent players on our roster for the new season," said HSV chairman of the board Bernd Hoffmann on German television.

"However it's also a fact that two other players who are also competing for Mahdavikia's position are ahead of him in terms of game preparations for the new season," he added.

Hoffmann's comments mark an apparent shift from earlier statements by HSV sports director Dietmar Beiersdorfer and coach Thomas Doll who had tried in vain to pressure Mahdavikia to transfer to another team in a bid to get the Iranian international off their payroll.

However Mahdavikia whose current contract expires in 2007, has vowed to stay at the north German Bundesliga club.

Doll has made clear the ex-Persepolis player won't stand any chance to return to the squad's starting lineup.

Mahdavikia who has sporadically been used in test matches against amateur clubs, was also dropped from the HSV roster for the recent UI Cup matches.

The Asian Player of the Year 2003 struggled last season to land a starting job with Hamburg despite his superb performances with the Iran's national team in their successful Asian World Cup qualifying campaign.