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MEF - DUBAI, May 26: Iran international
centre-forward Ali Daei said in a press conference held in Dubai "the
move to Al-Shabab FC will certainly take my career to new horizons,"
soon after joining the Emirati side for a two-year contract close to the
$1.2 million mark.
"Frankly speaking, I have turned down offers from clubs in Turkey, as
I am committed to new challenges here in the United Arab Emirates,"
the former Hertha Berlin and Armenia Bielefeld striker went on saying.
"I have lot of friends here in this country, and I have been
following the achievements of my compatriot Ali Karimi who plays his club
football here with Al-Ahly of Dubai in a close manner. In fact, Karimi was
one of strongest supporters to my move."
In a gesture to show the kind of welcome he will be expecting in Dubai,
Al-Shabab skipper Bakhit Saad gave the captaincy to Ali Daei who seemed
quite surprised and amazed, before having this comment: "I strongly
believe that Iranian players enjoying success in domestic competitions
here will herald a new wave of players transfers to your country."
Asked about his ability at 33 years of age to add that extra-dimension to
Al-Shabab, Daei replied: "I have never doubted my own abilities at
any stage of my career. I am quite familiar with the game in the Gulf
region of course, and with the enthusiasm I have already seen at the club
and amongst the players, things could only get better in the upcoming new
season."
Al-Shabab, one of the wealthiest and best supported clubs in the United
Arab Emirates, have suffered a dismal season, avoiding the drop to the
second division by just one point.
Club vice-president Abdullah Al-Nabouda announced in the press conference
"this is the first of many signings we are about to make in the close
season, in order to get the club back to where it belongs at local and
continental level."
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