Nilmar in action during his time at Al Rayyan in Qatar. Karim Jaafar / Watan Doha
Nilmar in action during his time at Al Rayyan in Qatar. Karim Jaafar / Watan Doha

Al Nasr sign former Villarreal and Brazil striker Nilmar on two-year deal



Al Nasr have confirmed the signing of Brazilian striker Nilmar from Internacional on a two-year deal, the Arabian Gulf League club announced on Thursday night.

“Al Nasr Club has reached an agreement with Internacional for the signing of Nilmar for two seasons,” the Dubai club stated on their Instagram account.

“The player will head to Munich on Saturday to undergo medical tests and complete the move before joining the club’s training camp in Germany.”

It brings a successful end to Nasr's pursuit of the former Villarreal striker, who earlier this week had denied contact with the club and stated his desire to remain at Inter.

Nilmar, 31, will replace Ibrahima Toure ahead of the upcoming season after the Senegalese striker failed to report for pre-season training.

Nilmar’s arrival is expected to complete Nasr’s foreign quota, with Al Jazira winger Jonathan Pitroipa also set to seal a two-year contract upon completion of a medical. Chilean midfielder Luis Jimenez has already arrived from Al Ahli and, due to his Palestinian passport, has been registered as the club’s Asian player. Brazilian midfielder Renan Garcia is the only foreign player retained from last year’s double-cup winning season.

Nilmar began his career at Internacional before moving to Lyon in 2004. One season later, he returned to Brazil with Corinthians and after two years, was reunited with his boyhood club.

Another move to Europe beckoned in 2009, this time to Spain and Villarreal where he spent three seasons and scored 26 goals in 85 matches before moving to Qatar with Al Rayyan and then to El Jaish.

He returned to Inter for a third time in 2014 and will now experience Arabian Gulf League football for the first time.

Nilmar made 23 appearances for Brazil, scoring eight goals. He played in four matches at the 2010 World Cup, and played all 90 minutes in a scoreless draw with Portugal. He retired from international football in 2011.

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