Thiago Neves has completed his move to Al Jazira as the first of the two summer transfers to replace Argentine forward Manuel Lanzini and the Burkinabe winger Jonathan Pitroipa.
“Neves has completed the deal at Al Jazira. All other details will be announced at a press conference with the player,” the club said in a communique on Thursday night.
The transfer deal of the Brazilian, 30, from Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia is reported to be worth €11 million for three years.
Neves was successful at Hilal during his two spells from 2009 to 2011 and returning to Riyadh in July 2013 after a season at his native Fluminense.
He scored 10 goals in 20 Saudi League appearances this season, and was a member of the Kings Cup winning team. The former Fluminense and Hamburg attacking midfielder made seven appearances for the Brazilian national team.
Joining him as the other new summer signing of the club is Gervinho. The Ivory Coast international who plied his trade at Roma, Arsenal and Lille replaces Pitroipa.
His arrival for a medical this week was delayed as he has to join the national team preparing for their opening African Cup of Nations Qualifiers match against Gabon on Sunday.
Jazira have Mirko Vucinic, the Montenegro striker who topped scoring chart with 25 goals on his debut in the Arabian Gulf League, and Jucilei da Silva, the Brazilian midfielder who plays under Palestinian citizenship.
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