Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Iran national team striker Reza Ghoochannejhad is set to return to the club which launched his career, after joining Dutch club SC Heerenveen in a two-year deal announced on Wednesday.
Ghoochannejhad, 28, joins the club on a free transfer after leaving relegated Charlton Athletic where he made 23 appearances, and scored two goals, in the English Championship last season.
The deal sees the Team Melli star return to Heerenveen, where he spent over a decade in the youth setup before making his professional debut as an 18-year-old in 2006.
Heerenveen technical manager Gerry Hamstra explained that Ghoochannejhad would add much need experience to the squad.
“We are looking for reinforcements in the 25 to 32 year age group. We have many talented young players but still lack experience and routine in our selection. Reza is therefore a welcome reinforcement,” he said.
Ghoochannejhad has been capped 28 times by Iran, scoring 13 times, including the vital goal against Korea Republic which secured Team Melli’s place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a tournament where he also scored against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The striker added to his tally of goals at major tournaments with two goals at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, and his move is timely as Iran look ahead to the final stage of qualifiers for Russia 2018.