Al Ahli finishes foreign trio by signing striker Bance

Dubai: Al Ahli officially unveiled their final foreign signing for the season.

The deal with striker Aristide Bance of Burkina Faso was signed on Wednesday, the day after Bance scored on his debut against Jordanian club Al Wehdat.

Bance joins from German outfit Mainz 05 on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. In his two years at the club, he helped Mainz get promotion to the Bundesliga and netted 10 from thirty games last term.

Speaking via his agent and translator, Eve Roger, Bance said, "I'm very happy to be in Dubai. Germany has good players, it is among the best leagues in the world — but one day the UAE league will be better, there's a lot of good players in Germany but Dubai has good things too."

"I knew about Al Ahli, they are doing a good job. Players are doing their best. I'm very happy with the way things are here. Next season we must think positive and trust it will be a good season."

He said part of the allure of the club was to work with coach David O'Leary. "He's a good guy. He knows his job. I've known him a long time, we've been in contact. With him I'm happy."

Born in Ivory Coast but having moved to neighbouring Burkina Faso, Bance played his club football in the two countries with Stade Abidjan and Santos Burkina before playing in the Belgian, Ukrainian and German leagues.

David O'Leary said that what he liked about Bance was his young age and his ability to become a better player at the club who could go on to be sold at a profit.