DUBAI // Al Shabab are hoping to announce the signing of Dutch striker Ruud Boymans from Utrecht in the coming days – their first acquisition since appointing Fred Rutten as manager.
Boymans, 27, underwent a medical on Monday with the view to what is believed to be a three-year deal, as Shabab look to put in place a squad capable of challenging for honours next season.
Boymans has spent his entire career in Holland, playing for AZ Alkmaar between 2011 and 2014 when during that time he was loaned to NEC and Willem II. He enjoyed a particularly prolific spell at the latter, scoring 27 goals in 36 matches to help the club win the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of Dutch football.
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That prompted a move to Utrecht, although injury limited Boymans to 28 league appearances in two seasons. He still managed to score 19 goals.
Boymans will feature for a new-look Shabab next season, with fellow Dutchman Rutten replacing Caio Junior in the dugout following the club’s fifth-place finish in the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League. Rutten has previously managed among others PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord and Schalke.
Shabab captain Carlos Villanueva has already left after seven years at the club, while Brazilian striker Juninho Potiguar will not be retained following a hugely disappointing six months. Shabab have yet to decide on Uzbek midfielder Azizbek Haydarov’s future, with forward Henrique Luvannor the only foreign player certain to stay on.
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