Australian-born Porta joins Al Wasl on one-year deal

Dubai: Australian-born Uruguayan striker Richard Porta has signed a one-year deal with Diego Maradona's Al Wasl.

He joins as the club's sole Asian quota behind Uruguayan striker Juan Manuel Olivera, Argentine playmaker Mariano Donda and Chilean midfielder Edson Puch.

The 28-year-old has represented River Plate Montevideo in Uruguay, Italy's Siena, Portugal's Belenenses and Uruguay's Nacional since 2001.

His signing puts to bed the registration of all 48 foreign professionals at all 12 etisalat Pro League clubs a good 21 days ahead of the closure of the UAE transfer window.

Other more notable late transfers include Bani Yas' acquisition of Ivorian forward Antonin Koutouan from Al Jazira and Al Wahda's purchase of Omani defender Mohammad Shaiba from Al Wasl.

Porta said: "I've heard only good things about the club and its history and I can't wait to be a part of it all. I'm absolutely dedicated to putting forth my best effort and hope I can start to make an impact fast as the league has already started. I'm very grateful and thrilled to have been recommended by the legend, Maradona, and I'm here to prove my worth to the club and its fans."

Right time

It's believed Porta was chosen over and above candidates such as Kuwaiti strikers Badr Al Mutwa (Al Qadisiya Club), Yousuf Nasser (Kazma) and Uzbek attacker Aleksander Geynrikh (Suwon Bluewings).

Abdullah Al Bishr, Al Wasl's acting CEO, said: "We are pleased to have completed this signing as it comes at the right time at the start of the Pro-League. We are constantly assessing the team's needs and are working hard to make sure we make the right decisions — both from a managerial and technical perspective — that are in line with our overall objective, which is to be a strong competitor in every tournament we participate in this year."