Iranian center-back Khalilzadeh joins Tractor
Iranian international center-back Shoja Khalilzadeh joined Persian Gulf Pro League club Tractor.
Former Persepolis defender makes a return to the Iranian top flight after spending the last three seasons with Qatar Stars League clubs Al Rayyan and Al Ahli.
This will also be a second stint in Tractor for the 34-year-old, who played 22 games for the northwest Iranian team during a loan spell from Sepahan in the 2015-16 season.
Khalilzadeh was the third marquee signing for Tractor on Saturday, after fullbacks Mehdi Shiri and Saeed Aqaei left Foolad Khuzestan to join the club.
The three defenders were part of the Persepolis team that beat Saudi club Al Nassr in the shootout to reach the AFC Champions League final in 2020.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Hossein Pourhamidi, who registered a remarkable 17 clean sheets for Aluminium Arak last season, ended his loan deal with the club to rejoin Tractor.
An impressive run under Spanish manager Paco Jémez in the second half of the season saw Tractor overtake Mes Rafsanjan and Golgohar Sirjan for a fourth-spot finish in the Iran league last term and book a place in the upcoming AFC Champions League.
Tractor will begin its ACL campaign with a playoff game against Emirati club Sharjah or Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh at home on August 22, with the winner securing a berth in group stage.