Baniyas are close to completing the signing of Kim Jung-woo, the South Korean midfielder, from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
The Abu Dhabi club, who on Tuesday announced Spaniard Jesus Garcia Pitarch as their new sporting director, expect to confirm the deal on Thursday.
Kim, 32, has agreed to a one-year contract, with the option to extend for another year should the move prove successful.
Kim spent last season on loan at Sharjah, where he impressed to such an extent that he was named in the Arabian Gulf League’s team of the year at the competition’s annual awards in May.
He will occupy the Asian player slot, replacing Abdulsalam Al Mukhaini, the Omani defender. Kim, who played 28 times for Sharjah, represents Baniyas' first acquisition since installing Luis Garcia as coach earlier this month. Mubarak bin Mahroum, the club chairman, said the transfer had been a collective effort.
“Our technical committee worked with the coach and the new sporting director and we all decided Kim was the Asian player we needed,” Bin Mahroum said. “He is strong, good physically and was what we wanted in the centre of midfield.
“He had a very good season last year with Sharjah, where he one of the best in the league for his position. So he was highly recommended.”
Bin Mahroum, however, denied Baniyas have also recruited Ricardo Costa, the former Valencia defender.
The Portuguese international – he has 21 caps for his national side – has been linked, but Baniyas are still in the market for two foreign players to complete their expatriate quota.
With Kim on his way and Carlos Munoz, the Chilean forward, retained from last season, the club are seeking a second striker and a centre-back. They hope to have deals completed before embarking on their pre-season training camp in Germany on August 10.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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