Former Liverpool man who Jurgen Klopp said was 'wonderful player' closes in on 'move to Iran'
Former Liverpool player Ryan Kent is reportedly closing in on a transfer to Iranian side Persepolis FC.
The 28-year-old, who was on Liverpool's books for 15 years after joining the Reds' academy as a child, has been a free agent since he was released by Fenerbahce last year.
Kent signed a four-year contract with the Turkish club in the summer of 2023, but he saw out just 16 months of his deal before both parties came to an agreement for his contract to be terminated.
Bizarrely, Turkish outlet As Marca, via The Express, reports that Iran's rules on keeping crocodiles as pets was a key factor in Kent's decision to accept a move to the Persian Gulf Pro League club.
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Curiously, Persepolis is managed by Ismail Kartal, who was the Fenerbache manager when Kent joined the Turkish club but barely used the Greater Manchester-born winger.
Kent made just three appearances under Kartal from December 2023 until the end of the 2023-24 season, when Kartal was replaced by former Chelsea and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho. Kent made just one appearance under Mourinho and has been without a club since October.
The winger was linked with a possible return to Rangers earlier this month but talk of a move to Ibrox has gone quiet amid the suggestion that he is set to move to Iran.
Kent enjoyed by far the best spell of his career with the Glasgow club, establishing himself as one of the club's most important players, appearing 218 times and registering 33 goals and 56 assists.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Kent after a pre-season game between Liverpool and Sevilla in 2019, which took place just weeks before the player secured his permanent move to Rangers.
"Ryan had sensational moments in the Sevilla game one-on-one situations are his big strength," Klopp said. "He is a wonderful kid, a wonderful player."
