Saif Mohammad becomes priciest player in UAE

Dubai: Saif Mohammad, the Al Shaab club and UAE national team left winger, has become the most expensive player in UAE soccer following his transfer to Al Ain club for Dh10 million.

Obaid Al Shamsi, the Al Shaab club secretary general, confirmed the transfer and said that Saif was one of the club's best players.

"Saif is a talented player and has excellent skills. He will be a big loss for us," Al Shamsi told Gulf News yesterday.

He added that the deal had been concluded and Saif will wear the Al Zaeem (nickname of Al Ain club) colours in the new season.

Al Ain club officials met with Saif yesterday to discuss the final steps to complete the signing to his new club.

New price to pay

The deal was the biggest in the UAE football history.

Abdul Razzaq Ebrahim of the Al Ahli club and UAE national team was the most expensive Emirati player when he was transferred from Al Ahli to Al Wahda club in Abu Dhabi for Dh7 million in the mid '90s.

Abdul Razzaq's record stood for almost 13 years without any Emirati player successfully breaking it. Last year three players from the Fujairah club: Ahmad Moadhid, Hilal Saeed and Ahmad Khamis, were transfered to Al Ain for Dh15 million (each one for five million).

Emirate of Sharjah clubs were not allowed to transfer their players to other clubs in the past.

However with the implementing of professionalism, any club can now transfer his players for the best deal, whether it's from Sharjah or any other UAE club.

"Saif is a talented player and has excellent skills. He will be a big loss for us..."