Al Wahda Club, who experienced a dip in their trophy hunt success last season, seemed to have pulled off a class catch in Paulo Sergio, the 33-year-old Brazilian striker.

Sergio, who has reportedly signed a two-year contract worth a million dollars, was introduced to the local press here yesterday by Abdullah Saleh, General Secretary of the Club.

Sergio, a feared striker who played for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup triumph, has over 50 international caps for his country. At the club level, Sergio has played for Bayer Leverkusen, AS Roma and has been with Bayern Munich since 1999.

"I can play both at the left or right but at Bayern I used to play as the withdrawn striker, as a link between the midfield and the frontline," Sergio said.

Spotted by Brazilian club Corinthians when he was 13, Sergio played his first professional match when he was just 18.

Sergio has scored 13 goals for AS Roma in Serie A while for Bayern he has hit the net 18 times.

"During the last couple of seasons I have been playing a more midfield role," said Sergio, who of late has been known for his creativity at this vital position.

At Bayern Sergio has won two league titles, the Championship league and one Cup championship.

Al Wahda gave Sergio the number ten jersey which he sported during yesterday's press conference which was attended by Abdul Rahim Juma, the Al Wahda midfielder who was voted the best player last season and Saeed Khamis.

Sergio is the first Brazilian player to be signed by Al Wahda. Al Wahda, who are one of the top teams in the First Division league and have contributed almost an entire team to the UAE national side over the last three years, had a dismal season last year winning just the four-team Super Cup.

Mohammed Salem Al Ennazy, the Qatari striker was one of their foreign players and he went on to emerge as top scorer in the First Division league while Mohammed Conti the other pro, played as a midfielder though injuries nagged him throughout the season.

According to the UAE FA rules, two foreign players are allowed to play for the first division teams.