Iran star Nekounam joins Esteghlal

22 July 2012 07:11

Tehran giants Esteghlal have unveiled Iran international Javad Nekounam as the club's newest signing on a one-year deal.

The 31-year-old midfielder joins Esteghlal after six years with La Liga outfit Osasuna.

Osasuna were understood to be keen to offload Nekounam, who was their highest paid player, and according to Spanish reports he has left without any of his buyout clause of 2.5 million euros being paid.

The news is a major boost for Esteghlal, who finished the 2011/12 season in third place, having not won the Iranian title since 2009.

Esteghlal will be coached by Amir Ghalenoei this term and are also expected to unveil Farhad Majidi later in the week.

In other news, Osasuna's other Iranian Masoud Shojaei returned to playing action in mid-week after a long spell on the sidelines with a foot injury.

Shojaei was a 71st minute substitute in Wednesday's 2-1 win over SD Huesca before playing half an hour in Friday's 3-2 triumph over SD Logrones.

He had been sidelined for 15 months.