Saeed Ezatollahi, the Team Melli midfielder, joined Al-Gharafah Qatar on a 6-month loan contract under the coaching of the Italian Stramaccioni. The former Esteghlal coach Stramaccioni has been looking to attract the Team Melli player for some time.

The much-traveled Ezatollahi has been playing for Danish Superliga club Vejle Boldklub. His initially promising career start well from the Age groups team of the Spanish La Liga side, Athletico Madrid joining from Malavan Anzali. Since then, Al Gharafa is the ninth side that Ezatollahi has joined. The Qatari clubs have a tradition of dismissing players at will and have little patience and tolerance with non-performing foreign players. Even Ali Karimi, a star of his own right found it difficult to settle and deal with the Qatari’s who expect miracles from foreign players.