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GulfNews - Two-time UAE
league champions Al Shabab Club have moved to strengthen their ranks by
signing top Iranian striker Ali Daei and straightaway named him as
captain. Club sources say that the contract is worth a whopping $1.2
million.
Daei, 33, has previously played three season for Hertha Berlin, between
1999-2002, and prior to that with Bayern Munich from 1998-'99. He also
played for Qatar's Al Saad.
Abdullah Al Nabooda, Vice Chairman of the Football Committee, said that
the club are hoping to reap the benefits from acquiring a player of Daei's
skills and experience.
"Having played in Germany for over three seasons he has excellent
qualifications and experience which think will help boost out
performances," said Al Nabooda.
"Besides being a goal scorer he is an excellent playmaker. We hope he
can initiate a leap in quality and help develop the overall performance of
the team which has not been up to expectations in recent years."
Al Nabooda confirmed that the contract was for two years and made in
accordance with international procedures. He said all the preliminary
procedures were being done and that Daei underwent medical and fitness
tests, which he passed.
Saeed Abdul Gaffar, Al Shabab Club Secretary General, thanked Sheikh Saeed
bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, President of the Club and Maged Al Ghurair,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, for their supporting and assisting in
securing the services of Daei.
Gaffar admitted that the club has gone through a difficult phase, having
narrowly escaped relegation in the recently-concluded season, but said
that a number of factors had contributed to the decline of standards and
overall team performance.
But he was confident that with the signing of Daei things would improve.
Bakhit Saad, Al Shabab's outgoing skipper, welcomed Daei on board and
presented him with No. 10 jersey, traditionally worn by the captain.
Bakhit also voiced hope that the next season would see Al Shabab
rediscover their glory days.
Commenting on his decision to join Al Shabab, Daei said it was his love
for the emirates and Dubai in particular that helped him make up his mind.
The Al Shabab coach Gregory joined the team management in welcoming Daei.
"I'm pleased with his appointment. It is a good decision," he
said. "Daei is a good choice because of the style of soccer he plays.
Also the climatic conditions in Iran and the UAE are very similar and he
will have no problems in adjusting."
However, he said, that he did not know of the deal prior to it being
signed. Gregory said that Daei will be a huge asset to the club and that
the plan was to sign another Iranian player before the start of the next
season. He said that they would decide between another striker or a
midfielder, the areas where the club was presently weakest.
Daei, who made his national team debut in 1993, was the star of the 1996
Asian Cup. In 1999 he was named Asian Player of the Year. Daei represented
Iran in the 1998 World Cup in France. He is also the first Iranian
footballer to represent the country in the Champions League where he
scored goals against AC Milan and Chelsea.
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