Hashemian points to "good, highly motivated" VfL Bochum team

IRNA - Vahid Hashemian who returned to VfL Bochum this summer, hailed his club as a "good and highly motivated" squad ahead of the start of 2008-9 Bundesliga season.

Talking to the official VfL Bochum website on Monday, Hashemian stressed his squad did "not have to hide" from any Bundesliga team.

The former Hanover 96 striker added he felt home again at Bochum, saying he did not need too much time to get adjusted to his old and new club.

The 31-year-old Iranian national team footballer returned to Bochum by signing a two-year contract with an option for an additional season.

Hashemian who played for Bochum from 2001 until 2004, is to team up with Slovakian striker Stanislav Sestak.

The Iranian forward whose earlier Bundesliga stops included also Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV, played 75 German first division matches for Hanover 96 and scored only nine goals during three seasons with the 'Reds'.

Dubbed the 'helicopter' for his jumping abilities to head the ball Hashemian, had also been linked to other Bundesliga teams like second division squad Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Hashemian had his most successful Bundesliga season in 2003-4 when he had 16 goals and two assists for Bochum.