Ehsan Haji Safi set to join Panionios
Former Sepahan and FSV Frankfurt defender Ehsan Haji Safi is set to join Greek club FC Panionios, according to reports in the local media.
The 26-year old defender, who joined FSV Frankfurt from Sepahan last summer, left the German side following their relegation to Germany’s third division league.
Haji Safi is going to team up with fellow countryman Karim Ansarifard at Panionios who was one of team’s key players last season after scoring 11 goals in 36 matches.
Haji Safi has scored two goals in 27 appearances for FSV in last season’s 2. Bundesliga. His superb long-range goal against Freiburg nominated as one of the best goals of the month.
Haji Safi has represented Iran at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, in addition to Sepahan at the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup.
He has scored six goals in 77 caps for Iran.
Panionios would have qualified for the Europa League second qualifying round as the fifth-placed team of the 2015–16 Superleague Greece, but were excluded from participating in the 2016–17 European competitions by UEFA for financial reasons. As a result, the berth was given to the sixth-placed team PAS Giannina.