Iran's Nekounam still hopes to play in German Bundesliga

IRNA - Iranian international and Sharjah FC Wanderers midfielder Javad Nekounam has not given up hope of playing in the German Bundesliga after a deal with FC Kaiserslautern collapsed last year.

Speaking to the weekly sports magazine Sport Bild on Wednesday, Nekounam said at "some point" in his playing career he wants to join a Bundesliga club.

The 25-year-old Iranian star player consented to a contract with FC Kaiserlautern last summer; however, the deal fell through after the German Bundesliga club failed to agree with Nekounam's former team, Pas Tehran, on a transfer fee.

Nekounam pointed out that Bundesliga record champs Bayern Munich were his favorite team, saying "they have a very good squad." Asked as to why the German Bundesliga is popular among Iranians, Nekounam responded, "The Iranian legionaries who play in the Bundesliga or who have played in it always talk positively about the Bundesliga. This leaves an impression on you."
There are presently four Iranian national team players in Germany's first division football league -- Bayern Munich's Ali Karimi, Hamburg's Mehdi Mahdavikia, Hanover's Vahid Hashemian and Kaiserslautern's Ferydoon Zandi.