Stokes has his four year Iranian contract terminated
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After four months, 11 matches and eight goals Anthony Stokes has quit Iranian side Tractor Sazi.
The former Celtic striker made the surprise move in August but despite signing a new four year contract at the end of October is heading back to the UK as a free agent.
According to the Persian League website Stokes returned late following the November international break, missed a crucial league match then had his contract terminated.
Irish striker #AnthonyStokes left Tabriz without saying goodbye after he canceled his contract with the Iranian football club.#tractorsazi #Anthony_Stokeshttps://t.co/gJ47LvO6Zo pic.twitter.com/xfR4UboeQL
— Persian League (@PersianLeague) November 30, 2018
Stokes has had a chequered career with Tractor Sazi the fourth club that he has played for since leaving Celtic in the summer of 2016.
Stints at Blackburn Rovers and Hibs ended by mutual consent before he headed to Greece in February where he played four matches for Apollon Smimis.
Before he moved to Iran Stokes was linked with joining St Mirren and Shamrock Rovers, at the age of 30 there is still likely to be a demand for his goals even if off the park issues continue to dog his career.