TEHRANTIMES – Javad Nekounam says he has decided to stay at Esteghlal despite Osasuna’s interest in re-signing him.

Osasuna is two points above the relegation zone in the Spanish Liga standings table and the team’s officials want to hire their former midfielder in the January transfer window.

“I am not going to leave Esteghlal. I will stay at the team until the end of the season,” Nekounam said.

Nekounam joined Osasuna in 2006 and played 149 times for the team and scored 24 goals. The 34-year-old midfielder joined the Iranian team in summer on a two-year contract.

Esteghlal is at the top of Iran Professional League (IPL) standings table with 38 points.