The 28-year-old flew into Tehran on Tuesday and will undergo a medical on Friday before putting pen to paper on a 17-month deal.

Carney has been on the hunt for a new club since parting ways with Uzbek outfit Bundyodkor in September.

Subject to the results of the medical, the defender will join fellow Aussie and former Sydney FC goalkeeper Liam Reddy (Esteghlal FC) in the 18-team IPL.

Carney, once a regular on the Socceroos team sheet, has been a noticeable absentee since falling out with Bunyodkor and struggling to tie down a new club.

The former Sydney FC player initially returned to England in the hope of securing a deal with a Championship side although the Middle East was also touted as a viable option. He was recently spotted in Dubai.

His agent will fly into Tehran this week in the hope of finalising a deal and according to one report, the player has three days to convince Persepolis head coach Manuel Jose of his value.

“It’s the first time I’ve come to Iran,” Carney told the Tehran Times. “I’ve heard that Persepolis is a popular team and I hope that I can show my best for the team.

“I know Persepolis is a big team with so many fans. I'd like to play in front of 100,000 fans at the Azadi Stadium.”

The news site said Jose rejected former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah on Monday on health grounds. Persepolis is currently sitting in 11th spot after 14 games in the 34-round comp.

Carney has preferred to pursue a career overseas rather than return to the A-League.

But his club career has been far from settled since leaving the Sky Blues. Earlier in the year he left Spanish Segunda Division club Alcorcon where he struggled for first-team opportunities.

His long list of previous clubs includes Blackpool, FC Twente, Sheffield United and Everton.

His contract with Bunyodkor made him the first Australian to play in Uzbekistan.