Fahad Hadeed has promised to repay Al Nasr for the trust they have shown in him following his switch from Dubai rivals Al Wasl.
Hadeed, 21, has moved to the Gulf clubs’ champions on a four-year deal after two-and-a-half seasons at Wasl, where he earned praise from Diego Maradona, the Wasl manager in 2011/12, on his arrival from Sharjah in December, 2011, on a free transfer.
The midfielder, however, has looked an unhappy campaigner at Wasl since the departure of Maradona, unsettled by the coaching carousel at the club, and is now looking forward to a new beginning with Nasr.
“Now, I start a new phase in my career and I have come to Al Nasr with big ambitions,” he said. “I want to do well and repay the Nasr administration and fans for the trust they have shown in Fahad Hadeed. So I am determined to provide my best levels and help the team achieve their objectives.
“I believe Nasr have the quality to compete for all the titles this season after the new signings they have made and, with some luck on our side, I believe we can do it.”
Hadeed was one of the top names on Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic’s list of requirements for this season, but with his contract at Wasl set to expire at the end of next season, the club management were willing to wait till January to bring him on a free transfer.
However, with Habib Fardan possibly on his way out, linked with a move to Al Jazira or Al Ahli, Nasr decided to bring in Hadeed as a replacement to bolster their midfield.
Wasl have allowed two more players to leave – midfielder Hassan Yousuf and defender Humaid bin Lahej – to promoted club Fujairah, and are expected to announce Brazilian Fabio Virginio de Lima as their Asian player.
arizvi@thenational.ae
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