Dubai: Senegal striker Moussa Sow says Al Ahli’s keenness to sign him over the past three years was key in his decision to finally join the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) club.
The 29-year-old joined the Red Knights from Turkey’s Fenerbahce over the weekend for a reported fee of €17 million (Dh70 million) — making it one of the biggest transfers in UAE football history.
Sow, who was linked with English Premier League clubs West Ham and Sunderland before moving to Dubai, was proudly unveiled by Al Ahli CEO Ahmad Hamad Khalifa on Wednesday alongside fellow recent recruit Rodrigo Lima.
France-born Sow, who has also played for Rennes, Sedan and Lille, told media: “I am very content to be here and I hope I can be useful in the success of Al Ahli.
“Fenerbahce is such a huge club but then I was always keen on coming here for the past three years. Al Ahli put in a lot of effort to get me here and finally I decided to make the move. And now that I am here I will try my best to be part of the club.
“I’ve been here before and I’ve heard that mine is one of the biggest transfers. I will try my best to pay back this confidence in me. This is a big club and I am sure I can contribute to its success.”
Sow will lead Al Ahli’s attack this season alongside Brazilian Lima, who has made a flying start following his move from Benfica, scoring four times in three matches so far.
The 32-year-old enjoyed a stellar career in Portugal, firstly with Belenenses and Braga and then huge success at Benfica, where he scored 53 goals in 89 appearances and won six major titles, including the treble last season.
Lima said he was looking forward to playing alongside Sow as the Red Knights bid to improve on last season’s dismal seventh-placed finish in the AGL.
“At first I was surprised at the level of the league here. I am so happy I have been able to adapt so easy to the system here. I can see that my new team is very organised and the club has shown the mentality of champions by setting lofty targets before us,” Lima said.
“I have been happy here, I have got a good sensation here right from the start. I think I have adapted well. I want to work even harder and maintain this form by taking it one match at a time. And now I have a good partner in Moussa Sow and this can hopefully translate into a grand striking combination for Al Ahli.”
