Al Ain release striker Sand, sign up goalkeeper Rabie

Abu Dhabi: Al Ain club have released their Argentine striker Jose Sand and signed a deal with Esmail Rabie, the Al Nasr custodian.

Sand, the top scorer of the UAE Pro-League (UFL) last season with 25 goals in 22 matches, has scored eight goals in 11 matches this season. He was released on the recommendations of the club's new coach Alexander Galo. The Brazilian felt the Argentine was slow and will not be beneficial for the team in the second round of the UFL, which will kick off in the first week of next month.

Sand has been approached by a Portuguese club and negotiations are under way to finalise the deal before the winter transfer window ends.

Rabie, a former UAE international goalkeeper at senior and youth levels, started his playing career with Al Shabab in Dubai before shifting to Al Nasr in a Dh9 million deal two years ago.

Injury woes

Al Ain have suffered in the first round after three of the club's custodians ­ — Waleed Salem, Yousuf Abdul Rahman and Abdullah Sultan — were injured.

This affected the team's performance in the league and the former champions are threatened by relegation after finishing in 10th spot at the end of the first round.

Meanwhile, Al Jazira have almost completed the deal with Khamis Esmail from Emirates club in the second division for an undisclosed fee. Esmail is expected to join his new teams on Wednesday.