Nekounam seals deal with Al Wahda

AFC – Iran international midfielder Javad Nekounam has officially signed a six-month contract with Al Wahda and will represent the United Arab Emirates league champions in the group stage of next year’s AFC Champions League.

The 25-year-old had been linked with a move to Bundesliga side Kaiserslautern, but opted to sign with the Abu Dhabi side and remain in Asia until next year’s World Cup.

“I had an offer from Kaiserslautern but fancied Al Wahda's offer which was for six months and one that goes well for me with Iran’s World Cup campaign,” Nekounam said in a press conference.

“I’ll be fully committed to Al Wahda for the six-month period by which time I hope to complete my job to the satisfaction of the club management and fans. Obviously the next big assignment is to perform well for Iran in the World Cup, and thereafter I’ll decide of my next move,” he added.

Nekounam played an influential role for Iranian side Pas during this year’s AFC Champions League, scoring four goals in seven matches before his team bowed out after a dramatic quarter-final against eventual finalists Al Ain.

While his move to the Emirates league has been criticised in the Iranian media, Nekounam believes that it is a positive step as he prepares to represent his country at the World Cup.

“I feel the Emirates league has reached a high level and is on par with some of the leading football playing nations in Asia. Ali Karimi played for four seasons in the UAE and won the Asian Player of the Year award during this period, so there’s no truth in the criticism from the Iran media,” he said.

“I watched the last league game between Al Wahda and Al Ain, and in my thinking Al Wahda is as good as any other club in Asia. They have the potential to become Asia’s No.1.”

Neknounam, who has 65 international caps and 13 goals for his country has been registered as Al Wahda’s second foreign player for the second round of the Emirates league from January 12, replacing striker Maurito, who has been called up by Angola for the African Cup of Nations from January 20 to February 10.

Clubs are only allowed to register two foreign players for UAE league matches but Maurito will be able to play as Al Wahda’s third overseas player during their AFC Champions League campaign.

Al Wahda will play in Group C of the 2006 AFC Champions League with Qatar’s Al Gharafa, Syria’s Al Karama and Iran’s Saba Battery.