Sport | Football
Departure of midfield duo major loss for team
UAE star Khater left to join Al Jazira as has Hilal but Al Ain have managed to bring in Chilean forward Valdivia.
- By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
- Published: 22:59 September 12, 2008
Abu Dhabi: Al Ain were dealt a severe blow when their star midfielder Subait Khater opted to join Abu Dhabi's Al Jazira Club.
Subait has been one of the stars of Al Ain, which has been the top club side in the UAE over the last decade having won titles at the national as well as Asian level.
The combative midfielder, who can hit tremendous free kicks and can be equally dangerous with corners, is a robust player. His departure will surely be felt by the Purple Nation.
Subait's loss to Al Ain has been made greater by the the club's other muscular midfielder Hilal Saaed signing for Al Jazira, who finished as runners-up last year.
Both Hilal and Subait are current UAE national team players. In fact Subait scored the UAE's only goal in their 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
The combined loss of both midfielders will hit Al Ain hard.
However the club, which has always tried to sign high-calibre professionals ever since the UAE opened its doors to limited foreign player participation, have managed to make two high-profile signings.
Most clubs have kept secret the amounts that changed hands when bringing in new local and foreign players.
But Al Ain have reportedly paid 18million euros (Dhs 93.5 million) for a four-year contract with Chilean star Jorge Luis Valdivia.
Al Ain have also signed former Al Shaab player Saif Mohammad for Dhs 10 million.
Number 10 shirt
Valdivia will wear the coveted number 10 jersey and the Purple Nation fans will be looking for him to deliver the goods.
"I am happy to join a big club like Al Ain.
"I have heard a lot about the club as one of the major powers in the UAE and GCC countries," said Valdivia at a press conference after he signed for the club in Frankfurt last month.
The 24-year-old Valdivia, who was born in Venezuela, said that he preferred to sign up with Al Ain rather than a European club.
"I agreed to sign for Al Ain because their negotiations with me and my club were serious.
"I am looking forward to helping them win the first ever professional league," he said.
Share this article
Popular in Sport
-
Football
Goal rush expected at Beach Soccer World Cup
A total of 970 scored in four editions
Sport Editor's choice
-
Manny Pacquiao's political arena
To strengthen his political bid, Pacquiao has set up his own party, the People's Champ Movement
-
Indoor golf in the UAE
Virtual golf: Beat the heat and play your regular round at home
-
Ajtebi's phenomenal assent
The former camel jockey was at the peak of his powers when upstaging Garret Gomez
