Tuesday, Jun 11, 2013

Abu Dhabi: Ebrahim Diaky was handed jersey number 18 by Pro League champions Al Ain as the star midfielder signed a two-year contract, leaving Al Jazira for the Al Ain giants.

Al Ain unveiled the former Ivory Coast star, who was given UAE citizenship about eight years back and has since been a prominent performer in Al Jazira’s winning a few trophies.

In his nine years with the Abu Dhabi club, Jazira finished third twice runner-up twice and then won the league and President’s Cup in 2011, the first time they won a major trophy in the history of the club.

“I believe that Al Ain is the club which has the same ambition that I have and that is to win more trophies. I decided to sign for them as they have the potential and the quality of players to achieve more success and more trophies,” the midfielder said.

Former-player-turned-official Mohammad Obaid Hamdoon said: “Diaky will provide the much needed experience to out team. The club’s professional committee, in co-ordination with the coach Cosmin Olaroiu, decided to rope in the services of Diaky.”

He also said that in the next couple of days, the club would also ink an extension for their 44-year-old Romanian coach Olaroiu.

Diaky, who turned 31 last month, thanked the fans of Al Jazira for all their support and also thanked Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Advisor to the National Security, Honorary Chairman of the UAE Football Association, First Deputy Chairman of Al Ain Club and First Deputy Chairman of the Honorary Board for giving him the chance to play with Al Ain.

Diaky had played for Al Ain in the AFC Champions League on loan from his previous club and it will be this continental silverware that the club will again be pursuing.

Al Ain won the AFC Champions League in 2003 and finished runners-up in 2005 and both Hamdoon and Diaky feel the club has the quality of players and the mentality to challenge the big clubs in Asia.

“I think Al Ain is one of the best clubs in the Gulf. I am looking forward to playing along side Omar Abdul Rahman and Asamoah Gyan,” Diaky said, adding that his aim was to help Al Ain win all the domestic events and challenge the big clubs in the Asian competitions.

By M. Satya Narayan Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor

Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.