Addicks land Iran star

Karim Bagheri could cost Charlton over £1m

Charlton Athletic have continued their summer recruitment drive by snapping up Iranian international Karim Bagheri.

The versatile 26-year-old impressed on trial at The Valley, encouraging Alan Curbishley to pay Iranian club Piroozi £400,000 for his signature with the fee potentially rising to £1.1m depending on appearances.

Bagheri, who scored a world-record equalling seven international goals when Iran once thrashed the Maldives 17-0, has agreed a four-year deal with the Premiership new boys.

Although used as an attacking midfielder, a position from which he scored twenty goals in qualifying for France 98 - he has a ratio of a goal every other game in more than 60 internatioals - he can also operate as a sweeper.

Bagheri celebrates Iran's qualification for France '98

"We're delighted to have signed someone of Karim's versatility and quality.

"He's someone we can use in a variety of positions and I'm sure he'll make a big impression," said Charlton manager Curbishley.

Bagheri is no stranger to European football, having spent time with Arminia Bielefeld in Germany.

A work permit has already been secured and Bagheri, the scorer of one of the goals that eliminated Australia in a World Cup play-off two years ago, becomes the fifth new Addick of pre-season.

Curbishley has already added goalkeeper Ben Roberts from Middlesbrough, record £4m signing Claus Jensen from Bolton, former Rangers striker Jonatan Johansson and Bulgarian Radostin Kishishev to his Division One title-winning squad.