Iran midfielder Mehrzad Madanchi has signed a one-year contract with UAE League champions Al Ahli. The 24-year-old played previously played for Al Shaab and Al Nasr in the United Arab Emirates.

Madanchi represented Iran at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, before helping his country reach the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup 2007.

"The transfer of Madanchi was smooth as the player showed his interest to play with us, and we have signed a one-year contract with an option to renew the contract at the end of the season," said Al Ahli team supervisor Abdulmajid Hussain.

"We have chosen Madanchi after the impressive form that he had in the previous two years. We decided to sign him after we failed to acquire the services of Shunsuke Nakamura."

The Japan playmaker opted to sign for Spanish outfit Espanyol after his contract with Scottish Premier League side Celtic expired.