Al-Shabab of UAE line up another Iranian stalwart

DUBAI, June 20: Iran international all-round midfielder Mehrdad Minavand is expected to sign a one-year contract linking him to Al-Shabab of Dubai next Monday, daily paper Al-Ittihad announced today.

Minavand's signing came one month after his compatriot Ali Daei joined big spenders Al-Shabab who ended the league campaign on the dismal 10th place, one point ahead of relegated Al-Khaleej.

"This will complete the two-foreign players quota announced by the federation," stated the special press release by the club on Thursday, "and we all hope the addition will propel the side to the leading roles in domestic competitions."

Iranian players' influx has been booming over the last three years, spearheaded by international centre-forward Farhad Majidi who plays his club football at arch-rivals Al-Wasl of Dubai, with prolific marksman Ali Karimi joining the ranks of Al-Ahly of Dubai last season, recent winners of the President Cup after beating underdogs Al-Jazira 3-1 in an entertaining final showdown.

Mehrdad Minavand had short spells with Belgium's Charleroi and Austrian outfits Sturm Graz, without really succeeding in proving his mark on the European soil.

Al-Wasl had already lured the services of 24-year old international defensive midfielder Hamed Kavianpour, a one-season contract close to the $500,000 mark was enough for the Iranian international stalwart to join the Dubai side from giants Pirouzi.