Al Shabab sign Iranian midfielder Minavand

Persianleague
- Jun 25, 2002
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Gulf News - Al Shabab Club have strengthened their ranks by signing Iranian international midfielder and former European clubs player Mehrdad Minavand.

Saeed Abdul Ghaffar, the Al Shabab Club general secretary announced that a two-year contract reportedly worth $1 million  had been formalised with Minavand. However, some sources claimed the Minavand deal was worth $1,200,000.

The Al Shabab Club held a press conference at the club's premises yesterday where the club general secretary signed the contract with Minavand. Mohammed Al Amiri, and Abdul Rahman Nocari of Mirsalsports, who negotiated the deal, also attended the press conference.

The Iranian player said that he is confident his signing for Al Shabab will be a big boost for himself and the Al Shabab Club, after he suffered last year in Europe due to a conflict between his Belgian club Royal Charleroi and his old club Pirouzi of Iran.

"I think this conflict between the two clubs affected my standard badly. However, that is past, I will show my best form with my new club Al Shabab," he said.

Minavand said he is happy to play alongside Iranian skipper Ali Daei, who signed for Al Shabab last month.

"Ali Daei is an excellent player, I am sure he will be a good example for the players in the UAE, especially the youth who could learn a lot from him," he said.

Minavand said it was not necessary that all the Iranian players who go to play in Europe must succeed.

"Ali Daei, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Wahid Hashimian, are Iranian players and succeeded in the clubs they played for. However, some didn't succeed, and this is normal, some succeed, and some not," he explained.

Minavand said the Iranian players are doing well with the UAE clubs more than European clubs.

"We are not far from our country when we play in the UAE, also many Iranians support us, the lifestyle in Dubai is similar to ours, not like Europe, where we feel like strangers," he said.

Abdul Ghaffar said the club's football technical committee had advised for a midfield player who can supply and co-operate with Ali Daei.

"After we discussed many names from different countries, we decided to sign with Minavand, who will play in midfield. He is famous for his accurate crosses to Ali Daei, who is an excellent player in the air."

Abdul Ghaffar thanked Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the club, for his great support to the club, he also thanked Majed Al Ghurair, the club's board chairman, and deputy chairman Abdullah Al Naboudah.

The Al Shabab general secretary promised the club's supporters with a bright season in which they will be able to return to their winning ways, achieving success and winning titles.

Minavand Factfile:
Date of Birth: 30-11-1975.
Nationality: Iranian.
Place of birth:Tehran.
Position: Midfielder.
Height: 183 cm.
Weight: 81 kg.
Former clubs: Pirouzi (Iran), Austria Viena (Austria), Royal Charleroi SC (Belgium).
Played 75 matches with Iran national team.
Played in the World Cup Finals in France 1998.
Played with Austrian and Belgian clubs in the UEFA Cup, and European Champions League.

 
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