Tractor continues spending spree with Beiranvand signing
The latest episode of Tractor’s massive summer spending saw the Persian Gulf Pro League club sign Iranian international goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Meanwhile, Iraqi striker Mohanad Ali also joined the Tabriz-based side on Saturday to become Tractor’s fifth marquee signing of the transfer window as the club is eager to mount a serious title charge under new manager Dragan Skocic in the upcoming Iranian top-flight season.
The 24-year-old forward, who has 19 strikes in 43 caps for the national team, bagged 16 goals in 30 games for Al Shorta last season, helping the club lift the Iraq Stars League trophy.
Beiranvand brawl
Widely regarded as the finest keeper of his generation, Beiranvand, 31, who registered 112 clean sheets in 199 appearances for Persepolis – conceding 124 goals – won six league trophies and two domestic cup titles during six seasons with the Tehran Reds, while playing a pivotal part in his team reaching a first AFC Champions League final in 2018.
His move comes following weeks of speculation about his future, after he unilaterally terminated his Persepolis contract in June over a financial dispute with the Reds – a decision deemed as “unlawful and unjustified” by the club, which lodged a complaint to the Players Status Committee of the Iranian Football Federation.
Beiranvand’s new deal could also lead to a row between Tractor and Persepolis in the coming days after the Capital Reds said in a statement late on Friday that they will take legal action against the keeper’s new employers, describing their negotiants with the player as “effectively enticing him to terminate his Persepolis contract.”
Beiranvand is the third player to leave the Tehran Reds for Tabriz in the ongoing transfer window, following instrumental winger Mahdi Torabi and fullback Danial Esmaeilifar, who joined Tractor as free agents last week.
There were, however, relieving news for Persepolis fans on Friday after the club announced the signing of Moroccan right-back Ayoub El Amloud from Wydad AC.
Capped once for the national team, Amloud reunites with his former Spanish manager in Wydad, Juan Carlos Garrido, who was unveiled as the new head coach of the Iranian champion in late June.
Former Persepolis striker Ali Alipour, who is the Reds’ all-time top scorer in the Iranian Pro League, is also believed to be on his way back in the Reds shirt after four years with Marítimo and Gil Vicente in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.