UAE strugglers strengthen squads
Al Shaab, Emirates and Dubai all sign new players as January transfer window opens
Abu Dhabi: The Arabian Gulf League’s bottom three sides have all made moves in the transfer market in a bid to boost their ailing fortunes.
Bottom side Al Shaab have taken advantage of the January transfer window to sign Venezuelan attacking midfielder Jesus Meza from Qatar’s Al Arabi and Cape Verde defender Josimar Lima from Dutch club FC Dordrecht. They are bidding to replace foreign players Julius Wobay, Billy Celeski and Thiago Quirino, and have also recruited left wing-back Farid Ali on loan from UAE rivals Al Jazira.
Emirates club, who are also in the relegation zone, have brought in local defenders Bader Yaqoot and Masoud Hassan on loan from Al Nasr and are negotiating with Brazilian Wanderley Sousa.
Dubai are only out of the drop zone on goal difference and they have signed a deal with Moroccan Salah Al Deen Al Saeedi
Further up the standings, Al Dhafra have brought in Brazilian Rogerio from Nautico to replace Ghanaian Emmanuel Clottey, with the frontman scoring the only goal as his side beat Al Shabab in the President’s Cup quarter-finals earlier this week — ensuring they reached the last-four stage for the first time.
