Al Jazira set to follow inthe footsteps of Al Ain

Al Jazira are likely to become the second UAE club to opt for professionalism in the new soccer season.

Al Jazira, who finished third in the league last season, will follow in the footsteps of Al Ain Club, who two weeks ago announced professionalism from the new season.

According to reports, the players have been divided into three categories as per their performances in the last three seasons. Their salaries and signing fees will vary accordingly.

The first category, which includes key players and those who play for the UAE national teams, will get Dh250,000 as signing fees with a duration of the contracts for five years in addition to their monthly salaries and the winning bonuses.

The first category includes Salih Obaid, Yousuf Abdul Aziz, Redha Abdul Hadi, Adil Naseeb, who all play for the UAE senior football team, and others who have been regular members in the past two seasons.

The professional approach is expected to boost the club's hopes of winning the league title for the first time in their history, after finishing third last season.

The Dutch coach, Sef Vergoossen, met the players yesterday while the team will begin preparations for the new season at the external grounds of the club today.

Since the main stadium will be under construction for more than a year, the team will play their league matches at Zayed Sports City in the new season.

The team will leave for their external training camp in the Netherlands on July 14. However, the four international players who are scheduled to take part in UAE's training camp in Switzerland, will join their clubs at the end of this month.

Salih Basheer, the club's left full back, attended yesterday's meeting after returning from Al Dhafrah, where he played the last two seasons on loan.