Sport | Football
Samba boy Sobis in Al Jazira link
Brazilian striking sensation Rafael Sobis is believed to have signed for Abu Dhabi giants Al Jazira Club for a whopping 10 million euros.
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:15 September 2, 2008
- Image Credit: EPA
- Brazilian striker Rafael Sobis plays during the men's football semifinal match against Argentina during the Olympic Games in Beijing last month. Sobis is believed to have signed for Abu Dhabi's Al Jazira Club for 10 million euros.
Dubai: Brazilian striking sensation Rafael Sobis is believed to have signed for Abu Dhabi giants Al Jazira Club for a whopping 10 million euros.
Sobis, who was a member of the Brazilian Olympic squad and is currently plying his trade with Spanish team Real Betis, was also understood to be a target for English Premiership team Newcastle United, but the move failed to materialise before Monday's transfer deadline in Europe.
However, UAE teams still have until September 10 to sign players,
Should Sobis or the club confirm the deal, the Brazilian would become the second high-profile acquisitions for the new UAE professional league, after Al Ain's capture of Chilean attacking-midfielder Jorge Valdivia.
"The only person who can confirm the deal is the club president," Ahmad Saeed, team manager of Al Jazira told Gulf News.
The manager said club officials had gone to the airport three days ago to welcome the player only to return empty handed after Sobis reportedly missed his flight from Spain.
"It's been kind of frustrating to wait for such a long time for a player. We need to get on with other matters. Honestly, I do not know the latest on him and the only one who can give you the right picture is the club president," Saeed stated.
"This is so much like a mystery to all of us. He says he is coming and then he doesn't turn up."
Last year, Betis rejected a 17 million euro bid from Russia's Spartak Moscow for the player.
This season he has already netted three times in his firts six games including goals against Valencia, Mallorca and 2007 Uefa Cup finalists Espanyol.
Sobis made his debut for Brazil as a late substitute against Argentina in a 3-0 win at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in September 2006.
He played again for Brazil in a 2-0 win against Wales and was chosen as the main striker in a friendly against Portugal. During last month's gold medal quest in Beijing, the striker proved his worth playing alongside teammate Jo.
Born on June 17, 1985 in Erechim, Brazil, Sobis made his debut in the youth team of Brazilian giants Internacional and quickly won a place in the first team.
He went on to score 19 goals in 35 matches during the 2005 season and in the following year was one of the main players in the Internacional squad that finished second in the Brazilian League.
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