After two years in Germany, Karimi was on the move again – this time to Qatar Sports Club, where he was to play a single season. Next was a move back to Persepolis. The move didn’t prove to be particularly successful the second time around and Karimi’s time back at the club was to end in acrimony after only a year when a dispute over his contract resulted in him being transferred to Steel Azin.
It was these attributes that contributed to his more than healthy goalscoring record over his career. After three years with Persepolis, Karimi was ready to move on. A transfer abroad was the preferred option and after a trial with Perugia Calcio proved unsuccessful, Karimi signed for United Arab Emirates side Al-Ahli. In four seasons at the club, Karimi contributed to Al-Ahli twice winning the UAE Cup.
