Al Jazira have signed the Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano, who was playing in La Liga last season, on a three-year deal. Baiano arrives from the Spanish club Real Murcia, which he joined in 2007 from Celta Vigo after they were relegated to the Second Division.
Murcia also met the same fate last season, failing to hold on to their spot in the La Liga after they finished 19th. The 29-year-old Baiano has also played for top clubs like Corinthians, Internacional, Flamengo, VfL Wolfsburg and Málaga. He will join his countryman Marcinho at Al Jazira, while Tony, of the Ivory Coast, is the third overseas player for the Abu Dhabi club. The 24-year-old Marcinho, one of the Brazilian league's leading scorers, quit Flamengo to join Al Jazira, where he will be working under another Brazilian, Abel Braga.
The President's Cup winners Al Ahli have completed the signing of the Iranian international Milad Meydavoudi, who will be their third overseas professional alongside the Egyptian Hosni Abed Rabbo and the Brazilian Cesar. Meanwhile, Miroslav Beranek, the new coach of the Dubai club Al Wasl, is hoping to turn the clock back for the 2007 League and President's Cup winners. Al Wasl lost in the President's Cup final to Al Ahli, while they finished a lowly seventh in the Etisalat Division One.
"I hope Al Wasl will return to their winning ways in the new season and bring joy to their passionate fans," said the Czech Miroslav. "I am here to win the league and cups with Al Wasl and I will work hard for it to happen. "Many changes have taken place in the team since the last season, so I cannot really comment on individuals. I cannot talk about our detailed plans for the near or distant future. We will go step by step and learn from every match.
"But I can certainly say that my goal is to take Al Wasl to the top - that is the most important thing. The only thing that matters in football is victories. "We will need to work, stay focused and be diligent to achieve our objectives." @Email:arizvi@thenational.ae
