Pamplona – Javad Nekounam. Is on the brink of another return to Osasuna, the relegated club from Pamplona , according to the Spanish website Noticias de Navarra
Nekounam has expressed his desire to play for the Spanish club once again. However, it was following the resignation of Miguel Archanco when he made the final decision and pulled the plugs on the talks. And to remember that it was the president who foiled the first attempt for the return of Iran’s Captain in the winter of two seasons ago.
The midfielder started his first spell at Osasuna in 2006 from Sharjah club of UAE. He wore the elastic Red shirt for six seasons playing 157 games and scoring 26 goals. Six years sufficed him to become one of the idols of the crowds stands of the Sadar with many memorable performances in League, Cup and, above all, in the continental journey of the Reds with Aguirre and Ziganda.
Still fresh in the memory of the osasunismo (Osasuna fans) that headed goal he scored against Bordeaux in the agonizing extra time that resulted in the qualification of Osasuna for the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup in 2007.
Due to difficult circumstances, Nekounam left Osasuna in the summer of 2012, when the new policy of austerity measures began in the club , with the priority to relieve the club of top paid players. Nekounam ended up in Esteghlal team, one of the Iranian football elite teams , but was loaned to Al Kuwait for the last season.
At 34 ( Born 07/09/1980) the player continues to be Consolidated defensive midfielder in his club and Iran national team, where while serving as leader with another ex Osasuna player, Masoud Shojaei. Masoud will not be continuing in Las Palmas and despite some rumors linking him back with Osasuna, he will play away from Spain.
Singnificantly , it was Nekounam’s good performance at the last World Cup, that has caused the rekindled interest. That performance is one of the reasons that encouraged the Management Board to accept the return of the Iranian. Talks have been taking place in recent weeks with the Professional Football League (LFP), which has to inform Osasuna if they are allowed to sign new players . The approval is required , due to poor balance sheet of the Pamplona club and their financial struggles for the last few years. It is more than probable that Nekounam signing will be announced tomorrow before traveling to England to start a training camp and playing friendly matches.
Despite his departure, Javad Nekounam has never lost its link with Osasuna. The midfielder maintains continuous contact with several members of the club, both players and employees, and has closely followed the course of events that have happened in the whole of late.
But these events have not lowered the slightest desire to return to Neko wear red. Quite the contrary. The Iranian international has offers on the table from top clubs in his native country, but his desire and his immediate wish is to be with his family back to Pamplona and he is willing to take a significant pay cut to achieve that.
translated from Spanish