TEHRANTIMES – The Foolad Khuzestan football team is interested in signing Ali Karimi, according to the Iranian club.

Foolad finished in fourth place in the Iranian Professional League last season and booked a place in the AFC Champions League for next season. The team is going to strengthen for the competitions.

Karimi announced his retirement after Iran’s Hazfi Cup final after Persepolis lost to Sepahan in penalty shoot-out but Foolad officials have remained hopeful that the star footballer will change his mind.

Karimi played 127 matches across 14 years and accumulated 38 goals for Iran. The iconic midfielder is the country’s third top international scorer, behind Ali Daei and Karim Bagheri.

Having won Asia’s top individual accolade in 2004, he was nominee for last year’s award following some brilliant displays with both Persepolis and the Iran football team.