Kenya’s Masoud Juma joins Iranian club Esteghlal FC

Kenyan striker Masoud Juma has signed a seven-month contract with Iranian club Esteghlal FC, which will run until June 30, 2025.

The 28-year-old officially joined the Persian Gulf Pro League side on November 27, 2024, after a nearly five-month period as a free agent.

Juma’s most recent club was Saudi Arabia’s Al Jabalain, where he played until his contract ended in 2024.

He had joined the team in July 2023, but his time there was cut short by a severe Achilles tendon injury in January, which sidelined him for several months.

During his recovery, Juma trained with Kenya’s national team, the Harambee Stars, ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cameroon. He was also reported to have been training with his former club, Kariobangi Sharks.

Juma’s signing with Esteghlal marks his return to full fitness and makes him the second Kenyan player in the Iranian top division, alongside Anthony Akumu.

At Esteghlal, he will be coached by Pitso Mosimane, the former Mamelodi Sundowns manager who took over the club in October 2024.