Dubai: Al Ain have signed current Brazilian Serie A top scorer Elias Ribeiro de Oliviera of Atletico Goianiense on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, according to an official at the club.
Team manager Majid Owais said yesterday: "We've just closed a deal, he will come to the UAE in the next two days".
In an earlier exclusive by Gulf News, Al Ain was last week looking to beat competition from Benfica and Atletico Madrid to sign the 27-year-old midfielder.
Elias has nine goals to his name this season and stands joint top with Washington of Fluminese and Bruno Cesar of Corinthians in the Serie A scorers leaderboard.
He will replace the departed Chilean star Jorge Valdivia and injured Soufianne Alloudi at Al Ain to fit in alongside other foreign stars Jose Sand and Ebrahima Keita.
Elias is under contract with Ability Sports Group who own Villa Rio Football Club. Although Elias has never played for Villa Rio, the club and Goianiese still had to agree to the offer.
