Arsalan Mahdavi, Atrescan international full-back and brother of Bersk forward Hamid Mahdavi
was announced by Rocca this morning.
Will the international full-back give Rocca the defensive boost they need?
Giulio Campanzo reporting from Rocca, Atresca
16 September, 2019
For many, the Atrescan transfer window, and by extension, the LegaUno, begins too late in the year to keep track with the leagues of other Asuran footballing nations. The other two big leagues in Asura, Midrasia's Liga Premiere and Navack's Superliga, both began around five weeks ago. But for AS Rocca fans, that problem has been swung out of the window following the club's announcement this morning that they would be signing Atrescan international full-back Arsalan Mahdavi from 1963 Troping for a fee estimated to be around 16 million ducats. The transfer comes after fans made it apparent that the club needed to invest in better defensive measures to compliment the young Marco Baresi at left-back. It is suspected Mahdavi will slot in at right-back for the Rocca squad, leaving Baresi to his usual position.
Mahdavi made it clear he wanted to leave the Troping-based club at the beginning of the transfer window, having spent four years there after a transfer from now-20th-placed club Salisano. Mahdavi had a great spell at the club which earned him multiple international callups, particularly for the 2019 Copa d'Aeia, although Atresca was knocked out in the group stages of the tournament. He contributed to the club's surprise 2016 top 4 finish, beating out Atrescan giants Aleanto Calcio 2-1 on the final match of the season to secure the spot and the club's entry to the Asuran League for the 2016-17 season. Safe to say, he is one of Atresca's most enticing full-backs - and Rocca have snatched him for an absolute steal of a fee.
The AS Rocca administration and board have been looking for an increase in talent to help boost the club following its qualification for the Champions Cup, where they were placed in Group B along with Athletic Tsuen Wan, Locomotif Lukubwa and Korgorus FC, leading to the increase in the transfer budget this season for Rocca to a club-record-breaking 120 million ducats, cashing out on players such as Pablo Varabeno and Vedasto Arico to bolster their midfield presence, both going forward and tracking back. The transfers have been met with generally good reception from fans, who are excited to see the new arrivals mesh with the existing front three at Rocca, who combined scored 61 goals last season, consisting of Vidorian winger Dominico Perera, Atrescan winger Eustacio Canto, and Liidurian striker Jurgen Kask.
Coming in the final week of the transfer window, AS Rocca have certainly cemented their position at the pinnacle of Atrescan football with the new signing, and have demonstrated their dedication to remaining at the top of the footballing heirarchy. However, it still remains to be seen whether Mahdavi will flourish at right-back like he did at his usual position on the left. Despite right-back being his secondary position, he has only played a fraction of his 418 total appearances in the position, conceding an average of 2.16 goals per game while playing there. Despite this, Mahdavi is an excellent pickup for a cheap fee and will undoubtedly benefit the Rocca side going forward.
Transfer rating:
8.5/10