Sharjah's long waitto sign Javad Nekounam seems to be finally coming to an end as the Iran international has arrived in the country to finalise negotiations.Sharjah, who return to theGulf Leagueafter a season in Division One, have been courting their former midfielder star since the end of last season.
However, Esteghlal - Nekounam's current club in Iran were refusing to allow the player they had signed last year for a record US$1.5 million (Dh5.5m) from the Spanish club Osasuna, to leave.
Nekounam has a two-year deal with Tehran-based Esteghlal, but the contract includes a clause allowing the player to terminate the deal, should he receive an offer from outside Iran.
Despite that clause, the Iran Pro League champions still refused to allow Nekounam to leave and he was forced to take his grievance to the Iran football association.
After an affirmative ruling, Nekounam returns to the club he represented in 2006 before moving to Osasuna.
"I've reached an agreement with Sharjah," Nekounam, who has 132 caps for Iran, was quoted as saying by the Mehr News Agency.
"I will travel to Emirates to negotiate with Sharjah officials."
Club officials were not available for a comment on Wednesday night, but if Sharjah and Nekounam, 33, finalise the deal, it will complete manager Paulo Bonamigo's foreign quartet for next season.
The Brazilian trio of Jose Carlos, Mauricio Ramos and Fellype Gabriel have already started training with the team.
By The National
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