Taremi signs for Al Wasl in Emirati top flight
Iranian international striker Mahdi Taremi embarked on a new chapter in his career by signing for UAE Pro League club Al Wasl on Saturday, returning to Asian club football after seven prolific seasons in different European leagues.
Al Wasl did not disclose the financial terms of the move for the 34-year-old Iranian, who joins from Greek giant Olympiacos on, according to Transfermarkt, a season-long contract.
Taremi enjoyed an impressive debut campaign with Olympiacos last season, registering 16 goals – including two Champions League strikes against Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen – and six assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.
However, the Iranian opted to bring a premature end to his two-year contract after falling down the pecking order under Spanish head coach José Luis Mendilibar, who favored Moroccan international Ayoub El Kaabi as his first-choice striker.
Taremi was first introduced to European football in the 2019/20 season, when he joined Portuguese top-flight side Rio Ave from Qatari outfit Al Gharafa.
A remarkable tally of 21 goals – including 18 in Liga Portugal – and five assists in 37 games convinced Portuguese heavyweight Porto to secure his signing after just one season.
Taremi spent four glorious seasons with Porto, helping the club lift seven domestic trophies – including a Portuguese league and cup double in the 2021/22 campaign – while he bagged 91 goals in 182 appearances to become the Dragons’ third all-time top scorer behind retired Brazilian Mario Jardel and Colombian Jackson Martínez.
His season-long spell at Serie A powerhouse Internazionale was hardly one to remember, as the Iranian was limited to just three goals and nine assists in 43 games – most of which came as cameo appearances – in Nerazzurri colors. However, he became only the second Iranian to reach the UEFA Champions League final, after legendary Ali Daei, where Inter was hammered 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the 2024/25 final.
Al Wasl, meanwhile, has enjoyed a flying start to its domestic league season, sitting atop the table with six points from two games.
The Emirati outfit will also be part of the West Zone’s 16-team league phase in the expanded AFC Champions League Elite, where Taremi will likely lead the line against Iranian top-flight duo Tractor and Esteghlal.