Jorge Valdivia has prior experience of UAE football having played at Al Ain for two years. William West / AFP
Jorge Valdivia has prior experience of UAE football having played at Al Ain for two years. William West / AFP

Al Wahda complete signing of Copa America champion Jorge Valdivia on two-year deal



ABU DHABI // Al Wahda have confirmed on their website the signing of Jorge Valdivia on a two-year contract for a club record transfer fee of €6 million (Dh24.3m).

According to a member of the club’s board, the former Al Ain playmaker will receive €500,000 a year to supplement his annual salary of €2.5m a year.

The only loose end to tie up is with the 31-year-old Chile midfielder’s contract with Palmeiras, which expires on August 17, but Wahda are in talks with the Brazilian club hoping they will release him early from his commitments.

“Al Wahda confirms that Chilean star Jorge Valdivia has signed a contract for the length of two years,” the club statement read.

“The player is under contract with Brazilian club Palmeiras until August 17, and Al Wahda and Valdivia are seeking to bring the player in before this date to join the team’s preparations for the new season.”

Valdivia played a key role as Chile won the Copa America on home soil last week defeating Argentina 4-1 in a penalty shootout in the final in Santiago.

The player is no stranger to the UAE having played for Al Ain for two seasons from 2008 to 2010.

There was confusion over Valdivia’s proposed move to Fujairah last summer, when the Arabian Gulf League club said they had signed him after he visited the club and posed with a club scarf. The deal was never consummated.

Also set to arrive this weekend is former Arsenal midfielder Denilson, who is expected to join his new club on Saturday.

The Brazilian signed from Sao Paulo for €3m signed a three-year deal with an annual salary of €1.8m, according to the club’s website.

Valdivia and Denilson complete Wahda’s foreign quartet with the Argentine Sebastian Tagliabue retained from last season along with the Kuwait centre-back Hussain Fadhel, who was given a one-year extension at the end of last season.

Wahda’s bid for the former Al Ain defender Musallem Fayez from neighbours Al Jazira was been turned down.

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7.05pm: Longines Gents La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,200m.
Winner: Moosir, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.

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8.15pm: Longines Gents Master Collection Dh175,000 Handicap.
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8.50pm: Longines Ladies Master Collection Dh225,000 Conditions 1,600m.
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9.25pm: Longines Ladies La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,600m.
Winner: Secret Trade, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

10pm: Longines Moon Phase Master Collection Dh170,000 Handicap 2,000m.
Winner:

RESULTS

Men
1 Marius Kipserem (KEN) 2:04:04
2 Abraham Kiptum (KEN) 2:04:16
3 Dejene Debela Gonfra (ETH) 2:07:06
4 Thomas Rono (KEN) 2:07:12
5 Stanley Biwott (KEN) 2:09:18

Women
1 Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:16
2 Eunice Chumba (BRN) 2:20:54
3 Gelete Burka (ETH) 2:24:07
4 Chaltu Tafa (ETH) 2:25:09
5 Caroline Kilel (KEN) 2:29:14

MATCH INFO

Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)

Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no

Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)

Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22

Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets

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RESULT

Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2
Arsenal:
Aubameyang (13')
Chelsea: Jorginho (83'), Abraham (87') 

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Scoreline:

Barcelona 2

Suarez 85', Messi 86'

Atletico Madrid 0

Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

Tesalam Aleik

Abdullah Al Ruwaished

(Rotana)

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

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