Former Sharjah star Igor Coronado has met up with new side Al Ittihad at their pre-season training camp in Austria.
The Brazilian, 28, signed for the Saudi Arabian club earlier this month in what was reported as the most expensive transfer in history between GCC clubs, at an apparent $12 million.
Coronado has spent the time since working on his fitness in Dubai, before eventually travelling to Europe to join his new teammates. Ittihad posted pictures of Coronado in Austria on their social media account on Wednesday.
The playmaker, who signed for Sharjah from Italy’s Palermo in 2018, is regarded as one of the finest foreign players to have played in the UAE. He was an integral part in Sharjah winning the 2018/19 Arabian Gulf League – the club’s first UAE championship in 23 years - scoring 17 goals and registering eight assists. He was later voted the league's best foreign player that season.
Upon his transfer to Ittihad, which had been mooted for some time, Coronado posted on social media: “Today I say goodbye to an amazing club. I leave the club with the feeling of accomplishment. I can’t thank enough my teammates and the fans for all the love and support.
“Sharjah made me and my family feel at home. It has been the most magical years of my career. I wish Sharjah all the best for the future. Thank you with all my heart.”
Following a superb debut campaign, Coronado’s progress at Sharjah was stunted somewhat by injury, although he was still the team’s standout performer in last year’s Asian Champions League as the UAE side missed out on goal difference on qualification for the knockout stages.
Last season, he returned to fitness and form, scoring 17 goals in 25 Arabian Gulf League appearances to help Sharjah finish fourth.
Previous to his move to the UAE, Coronado spent time in the lower leagues in England and then in the Maltese top flight before switching to Italy. There, he represented Trapani and Palermo, both in Serie B.
Ittihad, meanwhile, finished last season’s Saudi Pro League in third place, five points off eventual winners Al Hilal.
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
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Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
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MATCH INFO
Sheffield United 3
Fleck 19, Mousset 52, McBurnie 90
Manchester United 3
Williams 72, Greenwood 77, Rashford 79
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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THE DRAFT
The final phase of player recruitment for the T10 League has taken place, with UAE and Indian players being drafted to each of the eight teams.
Bengal Tigers
UAE players: Chirag Suri, Mohammed Usman
Indian: Zaheer Khan
Karachians
UAE players: Ahmed Raza, Ghulam Shabber
Indian: Pravin Tambe
Kerala Kings
UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Abdul Shakoor
Indian: RS Sodhi
Maratha Arabians
UAE players: Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
Indian: S Badrinath
Northern Warriors
UAE players: Imran Haider, Rahul Bhatia
Indian: Amitoze Singh
Pakhtoons
UAE players: Hafiz Kaleem, Sheer Walli
Indian: RP Singh
Punjabi Legends
UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Sandy Singh
Indian: Praveen Kumar
Rajputs
UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed
Indian: Munaf Patel
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GAC GS8 Specs
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Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Price: From Dh149,900
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
