IRNA - Hamburger SV
defender Mehdi Mahdavikia is on his way out and won't receive a new
contract this summer when his current deal expires, the bi-weekly kicker
sports magazine reported Thursday.
Assessing Mahdavikia's potential to help his club to avoid relegation
for the first time in team history, the football journal wrote, "His
time in Hamburg has run out and that's the way he is presenting himself
(on the pitch) for several months."
The magazine added in its analysis that Mahdavikia as well as several
other HSV players, had only "limited capabilities" to really help their
club in the relegation struggle.
Hamburg's local press reported earlier that HSV's management won't
extend Mahdavikia's contract, given his high salary - estimated at 2.3
million euros a year - and his recent woeful performances in the
Bundesliga and the European Champions League.
The 29-year-old former Pirouzi striker who joined Hamburg in 2001 from
VfL Bochum, has repeatedly expressed interest in staying at the club.
A self-pronounced Bundesliga title contender, HSV are ranked 17th in the
18-team German first football division.
