Esteghlal set to sign Uzbek skipper Masharipov
Persian Gulf Pro League leader Esteghlal has reached an agreement with Uzbekistani international Jaloliddin Masharipov to make him a second winter signing for the Tehran Blues, the club confirmed on Sunday.
Masharipov, 30, is to arrive in Tehran “in the coming days” to undergo medicals before signing a year-and-a-half contract with the capital giant, read the club’s statement.
Having 12 goals in 60 international caps under his belt, Masharipov captained his team at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, where he was unfortunate to miss from the spot in the shootout as Uzbekistan was knocked out by the host in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
A former winger of Pakhtakor in his home country as well as Saudi club Al Nassr, Masharipov joined Panserraikos in the summer but parted ways with the Greek top-flight side after registering a couple of assists in eight appearances in all competitions.
His signing comes as a boost for Esteghlal head coach Javad Nekounam, who will be without versatile fullback Kevin Yamga for the rest of the season – after the Frenchman suffered a career-threatening eye injury in a training session – while midfielder Saeid Mehri terminated his contract to reunite with ex-Blues boss Ricardo Sa Pinto at Cypriot First Division leader APOEL Nicosia.
Having left Esteghlal by the end of the previous campaign, Brazilian center-back Raphael Silva rejoined the Blues in the midseason transfer window.
Esteghlal is on top of the Iranian Pro League table after 15 matches with 32 points – one clear of Sepahan and two above archrival and defending champion Persepolis.