Spanish legend Raul Gonzalez joins Al Sadd

Dubai: Spanish legend Raul Gonzalez Blanco has become the Qatari League's latest high-profile signing after putting pen to paper on a one-year contract with AFC Asian Champions League title holders Al Sadd yesterday.

The 34-year-old announced his intention to leave German Bundesliga club Schalke 04 at the end of this current season on April 19, adding his future was no longer in Europe.

His arrival at Al Sadd was confirmed yesterday by the Qatar Football Association, who released no further details about the sensational signing.

Raul was in the stands on Saturday to watch Al Gharrafa beat Al Sadd 5-4 on penalties in the Emir Cup.

Last month, Raul said: "It was not an easy decision to make. I've had two wonderful years and will always have a place for Schalke in my heart." Raul's signing continues a trend of stars ending their careers in Qatar. Fellow Spaniard Pep Guardiola played for Al Ahli Doha between 2003 and 2005, Dutch brothers Frank and Ronald De Boer saw out their playing days as a double package for Rayyan and Shamal between 2004 and 2008, while Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta played for Al Arabi between 2003 and 2005.

The former Spain international, who scored 44 goals in 102 appearances for his country, earned his legendary reputation at Real Madrid.

He scored a club record 323 goals for the Spanish champions in a stellar 16-year career in 741 appearances between 1994 and 2010.

Raul can also lay claim to being the top goalscorer in Champions League history with 71 goals. And he also holds the record for the most appearances, 144, in the European Cup and Champions League.

The striker won the German Cup and Supercup and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in his first season with Schalke. His second term there has yielded a quarter-final finish in the Europa Cup, and Schalke also reached the third round of the German Cup and finished third in the Bundesliga.

Success in Germany topped off a stellar career in Spain.