Coach Cosmin Olaroiu extends contract at Al Ahli while Luis Jimenez linked to Al Nasr move

The decision, announced by the club on their website, was made to “maintain stability” following the success of the team since Olaroiu moved to the Dubai club at the start of the 2013-14 season, reports Ahmed Rizvi.

Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu, centre, instructs his players from the sideline during the President's Cup final against Al Nasr at Hazaa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Pawan Singh / The National

DUBAI // Linked with a number of clubs in recent months, Cosmin Olaroiu has extended his contract with Al Ahli, signing a new deal that will keep him at the Rashid Stadium until 2018.

The decision, announced by the club on their website, was made to “maintain stability” following the success of the team since Olaroiu moved to the Dubai club at the start of the 2013-14 season.

Read more:

The club highlighted those achievements in a statement released on the website, talking about the four titles won by Ahli under Olaroiu's guidance – the Arabian Gulf League and the Arabian League Cup in his first season and the Super Cup twice.

Olaroiu’s men are also through to the last eight of the AFC Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.

Ahmad Ibrahim Khalaf signs two-year deal with Al Dhafra

Ahmad Ibrahim Khalaf completed a two-year deal at Al Dhafra to leave Abu Dhabi’s Western region club needing one more signing to complete their quota of four foreigners for the new season.

The Iraq international defender, 23, replaces compatriot Humam Tareq Faraj, who returned to Al Ahli after the Dubai club did not agree in extending his six-month loan deal.

Khalaf will ply his trade as the club’s Asian player and joins Makhete Diop, the Senegalese forward who has been retained for the fourth season along with new Argentine signing Jorge Luna.

The youngster already has 50 international appearances for his country and first arrived in the Arabian Gulf League for Al Wasl on a six-month loan from the Iraqi Premier League club Erbil in January 2013. He joined Ajman in the following season.

Al Ahli’s Luis Jimenez linked to a move to Al Nasr

Luis Jimenez, the Chile-born Al Ahli midfielder who was playing under a Palestine passport, is linked of a move to city rivals Al Nasr, according to the Arabic media.

The 30 year old completed his four-year contract at the Rashid Stadium, and with no signs of an extension from the present club he certainly is on the radar of several clubs for his experience.

At Ahli, Jimenez won the President’s Cup in 2012/2013, the Arabian Gulf League in 2013/2014 and the Arabian Gulf Cup twice in 2012 and 2014.

Follow us on Twitter at our new home at NatSportUAE