Tehran, Jan 10 (IANS): Iranian football legend Ali Karimi has officially registered for the upcoming Iranian Football Federation presidential bid, local media has reported.

The decision made by the former midfielder of Iran and Bayern Munich on Saturday has been welcomed by some Iranian soccer coaches and players who urge reform in the federation, writes Xinhua news agency.

Former president of the federation, Mehdi Taj, resigned in December, and Heydar Baharvand is the acting president.

The elections will be held on February 28.

During the course of his career, Karimi played for Fath Tehran, Persepolis, Al-Ahli Dubai, Bayern Munich, Qatar SC, Steel Azin, Schalke 04, Tractor Sazi, and the Iran national team for which he scored 38 goals in 127 appearances.

In 2004, he became the fourth Iranian player to win the Asian Footballer of the Year. He announced his retirement at the end of the 2013-14 season and, on April 11, 2014, played the final game of his 18-year career.