Kazemian begins to train with Al Ahli Club

Gulf News - Al Ahli Club signed up Iranian striker Javad Kazemian from Iran's Saipa club for a six-month contract, which commenced on Saturday. 

The Iranian ace began training with the club yesterday to prepare for Al Ahli's crucial home game in the Asian Champions League against Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor on Wednesday at the Rashid stadium. 

The details were announced by the Al Ahli Club assistant general secretary Mohammed Mattar at a press conference on Saturday night at the club's premises. 

The conference was also attended by Qassim Sultan, the board chairman, Ibrahim Abdul Malik, head of the executive committee, Monojahr Ali Salehi, chairman of Iran's Saipa Club and the player's agent as well as Al Ahli officials.

Mohammed Mattar declined to reveal the details of the deal saying that it was restricted to the player and the club. "How much we paid him or what salary he will get is the concern of the club and the player. We are not announcing financial deals with our new players."

Mattar stated that the contract began on Saturday and would expire on May 31. During this period he would play for Al Ahli in the Asian Champions League, domestic tournaments, league, Super Cup, President's Cup and any other matches during the six- month contract.

Kazemian expressed his happiness to sign for Al Ahli along with his compatriot Ali Karimi. "I am glad to be playing for Al Ahli. I hope to give my best in the coming matches. I heard about Al Ahli as a big name in the UAE football and my ambition was to play in the Asian Champions League. It is a dream come true."

Kazemian said that he hoped, along with Ali Karimi, to give off his best while wearing the Al Ahli colours. 

Qassim Sultan thanked the president of the Saipa Club for accepting Al Ahli's offer to sign Kazemian. "I thank Salehi and the Saipa board for agreeing to transfer Kazemian. We wish the player good luck and hope he makes an excellent duo with compatriot Ali Karimi."

The Saipa Club president Salehi said that they hoped to extend more co-operation with Al Ahli Club. "We want to develop more co-operation between us and Al Ahli to be more than just transfers of players." 

He said that Kazemian had come to the UAE to negotiate with the Al Shabab Club, but the deal fell through. "With Al Ahli Club, the deal was finalised by telephone and it didn't take long time to settle on what we agreed for." 

Salehi praised Kazemian saying that he would be the future star in Asian football. "I am confident he will give his best for Al Ahli. Better than what he did with Saipa."