Galaxy Interested In Ali Karimi, The 'Asian Maradona'

The Los Angeles Galaxy are interested in signing Iranian international Ali Karimi, the man who is also known as the "Asian Maradona," according to reports coming out of Tehran. The technical manager for Karimi's current team - Steel Azin - has said that the Galaxy are one of two teams in the running for the midfielder's services, with the player's contract set to expire this summer.

"Ali has two offers from L.A. Galaxy and the UAE's Al Ahli," said Heshmat Mohajerani. "But I think he would prefer to play in the American Major League Soccer."

Karimi, 31, has spent much of his club career playing in the Middle East, starting out at Persepolis back in 1998 and then moving on to Al-Ahli in 2001. He would go on to score 44 goals for the club over the next four years, and was named Asian Footballer of the Year in 2004. The following year, Karimi signed with Bayern Munich, the beginning of a two-year run with the German club. He returned to the Middle East in 2007 with Qatar SC, which was followed by another stint with Persepolis before ultimately signing with Steel Azin in 2009. In the recently completed Persian Gulf Cup season, Karimi helped the newly-promoted club earn a 5th-place finish, scoring 14 goals in 26 appearances.

Internationally, Karimi is the second-most capped player in the history of the Iranian National Team, having made 112 appearances with 36 goals to his credit since 1998. He has been included on his country's roster for the AFC Asian Cup three times (2000, '04 and '08) and was also a key part of their squad in the 2006 World Cup, but a thigh injury limited his effectiveness in the tournament as Iran bowed out during the Group Stage.

Side note: Iran's current manager, Afshin Ghotbi, was an assistant with the Galaxy back in 2005 and also coached Karimi during the player's second run with Persepolis in 2008.

Galaxy fans, hope the team pulls the trigger on this move? Think Karimi would fare well in Major League Soccer?

[Source]