DUBAI : The 2008-09 UFL champions Al Ahli have signalled their intent to return to the pinnacle of the domestic game with yesterday's stunning announcement that they have signed Italy's World Cup captain Fabio Cannavaro on a two-year deal.
Al Ahli struggled last term in defence of their title, finishing adrift in the bottom half of the table in seventh, were knocked out of the Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi at the first hurdle by New Zealand's Auckland FC and saw a succession of coaches come and go, including former Chelsea No 2 Henk Ten Cate.
But yesterday's capture of central defender Cannavaro from Juventus, who failed to offer the 36-year-old a new contract, and stories circulating that Al Ahli are after Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, show that the club have been stung into action by a disastrous title defence.
Cannavaro, who has 132 caps for Italy, will retire from international football after South Africa 2010 and said yesterday: "I'm happy to sign for Al Ahli. I always thought of moving to live in Dubai as I love it and I have achieved my dream by moving to Dubai and play for one of its big clubs like Al Ahli."
The club have undergone a rethink at board level and chairman Abdullah Al Naboodah said on the club's website: "This deal with a player like Cannavaro is one of the most important deals for us because he's a player with great experience and talent, while he's also a leader on the field as he led Italy to win the 2006 Fifa World Cup title."
