Tasnim - Fluminense goalkeeper Alberto Rafael da Silva, simply Rafael, joined the Iranian football club, Esteghlal, on Monday.

The 30-year-old Brazilian has penned a two-year deal with Esteghlal.

Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed.

Rafael da Silva signed a contract with Brazilian club Vasco da Gama in 2008 but After 11 appearances and one year with the club, he went on to sign with Fluminense.

Between 2009 and 2011, the goalie became Fluminense's number one goalkeeper, making 66 appearances for the team. In 2012, he signed a loan contract with Atletico Goianiense.

Esteghlal has already signed Mohsen Forouzan from Gostaresh Foolad, Armenian defender Hrayr Mkoyan, Sepahan midfielder Omid Ebrahimi, Tractor Sazi’s Milad Fakhreddini and Mehdi Karimian, Sajjad Shahbazzadeh from Saipa and Karrar Jassim.

The 14th edition of the Iran Professional League will start from July 31.