Hashemian to leave Hanover 96 at the end of season

IRNA - Iranian national team striker Vahid Hashemian will depart Bundesliga club Hanover 96 after his contract expires at the end of the season, the daily Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung reported in its Thursday edition.

"One cannot be satisfied if you only come into the game as a substitute," Hashemian was quoted saying.

"But there will be better times: a new club and a new chance," he added.

Hanover 96 is presently ranked 10th in the Bundesliga with 35 points out of 27 matches.

Hashemian whose earlier Bundesliga stints included Bayern Munich, VfL Bochum and Hamburger SV, played 74 German first division matches for Hanover 96 and scored only nine goals during his three seasons with the 'Reds'.

Dubbed the 'helicopter' for his jumping abilities to head the ball, Hashemian had been reportedly linked to other Bundesliga teams like second division side Borussia Moenchengladbach and his ex-club VfL Bochum.

Hashemian had his most successful Bundesliga season in 2003-4 when he had 16 goals and two assists for Bochum.