Nekounam signs for Esteghlal , while Hashemian hangs his boots.

Javad Nekounam has finally signed for Tehran’s Esteghlal club after a prolong negotiation between the two sides. The settlement for the transfer was dependent on Esteghlal paying the penalty for Osasuna as the Iranian National Team Captain has still one year to go on his contract with the La Liga club.

Javad Nekounam was believed to be the highest player in the cash stripped Spanish club and they were desperate to offload him to another club. It is believed that no European club could match Nekounams asking wages while Esteghlal offered quite an attractive package to bring back the ex-PAS club player home after many years playing in the UAE league and the Spanish La Liga.

Nekounam was one of the Pampolana club stars and leaves the club with some fond memories and excellent performances.

Meanwhile , Vahid Hashemian , the ex-Team Melli forward and Perpsolis player , who spent quite a few years in the Bundesliga , has announced his retirement form football at the age of 36.

Hashemian , was not able to gain much opportunity to play for Perspolis under the Turkish coach , Mostafa Denizli in last year’s disappointing Perspolis team and is believed that the New Portuguese coach has no plans to give him much playing time either.