Karimi signs two-year deal with Qatar Sports Club

Dubai: Iranian star Ali Karimi signed a two-year deal worth 4.5 million Euros (Dh22.68 million) deal with Qatar Sports Club yesterday.

Karimi, the 2004 Asian Footballer of the Year, played the last two seasons with German club Bayern Munich, but failed to get a regular place in the starting line-up last season.

Karimi, who was also sidelined due to injury most part of last season, has scored three goals in 33 matches for Bayern.

Karimi said he would like to return to UAE after his stint at Germany, since the Qatar club offered a better deal to the UAE clubs, the Iranian decided to join them.

"A UAE club offered Karimi a 2.5 million Euros (Dh12.6 million), which is less by 2 million Euros than the Qatari offer," Karimi's agent told Gulf News yesterday.

The gifted Iranian, who was the joint top-scorer in the Asian Cup Finals in China three years ago, will also be leading Iran's campaign in this edition, which which begins on Saturday. Iran are in Group C with China, Uzbekistan and hosts Malaysia.

Ali Karimi, who began playing football in Iran with Perouzi Club of Tehran as a 19-year-old, was signed by Dubai's Al Ahli Club in 2001 for two-year deal worth $1 million (Dh3.675 million). He extended his contract with Al Ahli for another two years worth $1.6 million (Dh 5.88 million).

During his four years (2001-2005) with Al Ahli, Karimi has helped them win the President's Cup in 2002 and 2004.