PFDC - TEHRAN, After few weeks
of speculation and on the brink of signing with his old team and cross town
rivals Esteghlal, Ali-Reza Nikbakht Vahedi finally came to terms with
Persepolis today and will be playing under Afshin Ghotbi once again this
season.
Nikbakht was almost lured to his old club by former manager Amir Ghalenoi,
but due to the recent revelation of a serious injury to striker Persepolis
striker Mohsen Khalili, Persepolis and club chairman Dariush Mostafavi made
it a priority to resign Nikbakht at any cost.
The left winger has supposedly reconciled with Reds manager Afshin Ghotbi,
at least for the time being. Nikbakht had disciplinary problems last season
with the club, as he was benched for a few crucial games down the
championship stretch. Nikbakht had been deduced to a substitute by Ghotbi
after a few performances that left anything but a lasting impression on the
Iranian-American coach.
Khalili’s injury surely had a profound impact on this signing. Persepolis
will be looking to defend their Persian Gulf League title as well as compete
for the continents ultimate prize in the Asian Champions League. Nikbakht’s
importance has increased substantially and Ghotbi will be relying on him to
carry the brunt of the teams attacking force until Khalili returns.
