The 27-year-old midfielder started his professional career with VfL Maschen.
Helmke has also played in German clubs Lüneburger SK and VfB Lübeck, Malaysian Sabah FA, and Finland’s FF Jaro.
After a spell with Jaro, Helmke joined the Norwegian Tippeligaen side Tromsø on a free transfer in August 2013 and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
According to the Iranian media, Helmke has reached an initial agreement with the Tehran-based club.
Furthermore, Padideh of Mashhad striker Reza Enayati is set to join Esteghlal in the winter transfer windows.
Enayati will reunite with his former coach Amir Ghalenoei in Esteghlal, where he scored 55 goals in 78 games across two different spells.