Iranian keeper Khalifeh joins Esteghlal
Iranian international goalkeeper Mohammad Khalifeh has signed for Persian Gulf Pro League powerhouse Esteghlal.
Khalifeh, 21, joins from Iralco after keeping 19 clean sheets in 56 appearances across all competitions over two seasons for the Iranian top-flight club.
The young goalkeeper is expected to replace Spanish veteran Antonio Adán at the Tehran-based side. He was included in Iran’s provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but did not make the final roster.
Khalifeh has also earned 10 caps for Iran’s under-23 team, keeping two clean sheets in three group-stage matches at January’s AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, where Iran failed to reach the knockout stage.
Esteghlal was top of the Persian Gulf Pro League when the season was declared null and void because of wartime conditions in the country in March. The Tehran Blues, along with Tractor SC, will represent Iran in the upcoming AFC Champions League Elite.