Al Ahli beat Manchester United and Arsenal to signing of Everton Ribeiro

Everton Ribeiro arrives at Al Ahli from Brazilian champions Cruzeiro and has signed a four-year contract. Alex Araujo / AFP

Al Ahli, the Arabian Gulf League champions, have confirmed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Everton Ribeiro from Cruzeiro.

It represents a major coup for the Dubai side, who trail leaders Al Jazira by seven points in the AGL.

Ribeiro, 25, had reportedly been the subject of interest from Premier League clubs Arsenal and Manchester United, but he chose to move to Ahli.

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The deal was agreed last week and on Sunday night it was made official when he signed a four-year contract, according to the club’s Twitter account.

Ribeiro is the second arrival of the transfer window after Ahli signed Moroccan winger Oussama Assaidi from Liverpool.

Ribeiro is a current Brazil international, having earned two caps under current manager Dunga.

The midfielder was a key part of Cruzeiro’s march to the Campeonato Brasileiro title last season.

Al Ahli are now one player over their foreign quota — not including injured Brazilian forward Ciel — and must decide which player to de-register.

As well as new signings Ribeiro and Assaidi, Al Ahli have Brazilian striker and captain Grafite and Chilean forward Carlos Munoz in their books. Chilean midfielder Luis Jimenez qualifies as their Asian player due to Palestinian origins.

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