Iranian attacking midfielder Ali Karimi signed a two-year contract with Al Ahli Club for the seasons 2001-03.

Although the Al Ahli assistant general secretary Mohammed Mattar declined to reveal the deal, other sources told Gulf News that Al Ahli will pay $1.3 million (Dh4,784,000) for the deal, $500,000 for each year and $300,000 for the monthly salaries and other accommodation.

"The only thing I can say is that Karimi's contract period, which is two years, begins from July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2003," said Mattar in a press conference held yesterday at the Al Ahli Club. Fawzi Al Ta'aisha, the Al Ahli senior team coach, and the player Ali Karimi, also attended.

The Al Ahli Club assistant general secretary expressed gratitude to the Dubai Government for its continuous support to Al Ahli and the other Dubai and UAE clubs.

"Without the Dubai Government support, we couldn't reach the excellent standard our clubs and players has achieved in recent years," said Mattar.

He also thanked Perozi Club where Ali Karimi was playing in Iran. "Perozi were very cooperative in signing Karimi for two years. We have a very good relationship with Perozi, which began 22 years ago when we signed Iranian football legend Hasan Roshan, who played also for Perozi before."

Mattar thanked Karimi for accepting Al Ahli's offer, despite other excellent contracts he had received from other European clubs. He also announced in the press meet that Al Ahli had signed Moroccan player Rasheed bin Mahmood for the third successive season along with Karimi.

Ali Karimi, 23, began to play for Iran in the Asian Games in Bangkok 1998 where they won the Gold medal. He has 35 caps so far and has scored 13 goals.

Karimi said that he would do his best to make Al Ahli Club supporters happy in the coming seasons.

"I know that Al Ahli is a big name in the UAE football. I will spare no effort to do my best, with the co-operation of my colleagues, the coach and his technical staff, the club's board and supporters, to achieve great success for the club in the coming years."

He added that he received offers from Perugia of Italy, Spain's Atletico Madrid and German club Hamburg. "Any player would like to play in Europe, but for me this stage will come later. I hope to go there after two years with Ahli."

Karimi said that the Ahli offer was not financially as rewarding as the European offers, but he decided to play for Ahli because many Iranians have played in the team before and also the Ahli colours were red, same as Perozi.

Fawzi Al Ta'aisha, the Al Ahli coach, said that Karimi was a talented player, and would be a very good addition to the team in the coming season.

"Ali Karimi is a skillful player, I am pleased that he has joined Al Ahli, and we will take advantage of his talent and skill to achieve success for our club."