Karimi confirms Persepolis exit

Iran international Ali Karimi has confirmed he is leaving Tehran giants Persepolis.

The 33-year-old former Bayern Munich and Schalke attacking midfielder revealed the news after Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Qatar in AFC World Cup qualifying, where he was one of Iran’s best players

“No, I’m not going to stay,” Karimi told reporters after the game. “I opened negotiations with (Mohammed) Mr Ruyanian (the club’s general manager) but we didn’t reach an agreement.

“I offered them to strengthen the team by signing some new players but they didn’t care.”

Karimi, whose contract at Persepolis has expired, had said in May he would leave the club before claiming his comments were ‘misinterpreted’.

Ruyanian had also said in April Karimi would not be leaving the club, following reports of a rift between the player and coach Mustafa Denizli.

Karimi, who joined Persepolis in June after a spell at Schalke, scored 15 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions during the 2011/12 season as the club finished a disappointing 12th in the league.