Al Jazira sign Omar and Amer to bolster squad for new season
- Last updated: August 8, 2019 | 21:04
Al Jazira completed the signings of UAE international stars Omar Abdulrahman and Amer Abdulrahman. The duo have moved to The Pride of Abu Dhabi on a free transfer and will join their new team-mates for the first time when the squad returns from their pre-season training camp in the Netherlands on Friday.
Omar, 27, who has 71 international caps, is a prolific attacking forward with his eye for goal and creativity seeing him named as the Asian Player of the Year in 2016. The move marks a return to UAE football after his contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal ended and will boost Al Jazira’s attacking options this season.
Amer arrives at Al Jazira, having featured for Al Ain and Baniyas. The 30-year-old centre-midfielder, who made 76 appearances for the UAE will bring plenty of experience to the squad having played more than 150 matches in all competitions in the UAE.
Speaking on the new signings, His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, board member of the Club and chairman of Al Jazira Football Company, said: “Thanks to Allah for helping us to finalise these important signings. They are another example of the big ambitions of this club and I am grateful to the higher management of Al Jazira FC for their continuous support and wise leadership.
“We wish Omar and Amer a fantastic season ahead. Best of luck to them and their team-mates as we go in search of success on the pitch.”
Omer is excited to the new challenge ahead at Al Jazira. He said: “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the management of Al Jazira for the trust they have shown in my ability.
“I am here to help the club reach its goals this season, and in many more to come. I have several friends already at the club but I’m excited to meet up with the full squad in the coming days.
“I will work hard to gain the respect of the coaching staff, the players and the fans. I’m really optimistic about the future and I believe that we will celebrate a lot of good things together.”
Amer described the switch as an opportunity he simply could not turn down. He said: “First of all I want to offer my sincere gratitude to Al Jazira Club for their belief in me. This is an amazing club with a reputation for developing UAE national players.
“I will give everything to be at my best and to repay the club for the opportunity, but I also want to use this chance to inspire younger players and the next generation.”
Al Jazira are on signing spree to bolster their squad for the new season which get under way in August. Few days back they roped in
the prolific Moroccan striker Mourad Batna on a free transfer.
The 29-year-old Mourad Batna, who moved from Al Wahda club, joined his new ‘Pride of Abu Dhabi’ team-mates for the first time at the ongoing summer training camp of the team in the Netherlands.
Born in the Moroccan city of Agadir, Batna who plays mainly as a right winger, can also play as a second striker and center-forward.
Batna brings plenty of experience to Al Jazira having played for Hassania Agadir and FUS Rabat in Morocco, Emirates Club in the UAE prior to joining Al Wahda Club in 2017.
The striker displayed an outstanding performance in the UAE Gulf League in the 2018-19 season, scoring eight goals and assisting another five in just 10 appearances for Al Wahda.
Ayed Mabkhout Al Hajeri, board member of Al Jazira Club and CEO of the Football Company said: “We are delighted to welcome Murad to our club and we are happy to have him at the pre-season training camp in the Netherlands.
“We wish him and all his team-mates a great season ahead and hope to see them be part of the club success in the coming season.”
Jurgen Streppel, newly appointed head coach of Al Jazira FC said: “I believe that Batna will be able to perform well in all competitions for the club.
“I have a lot of faith in his ability and the value he will add to the team’s overall performance. He has good amount of experience in the UAE under his belt which is always a plus point.
“I am sure he will be able to integrate into the team quickly thanks to the excellent team spirit prevailing at Al Jazira.”
Batna said: “I am excited for my new journey with Al Jazira and relishing the opportunity of plating for my new team.