Kenwyne Jones says the opportunity to join Al Jazira on a six-month loan was too good to refuse.
The Trinidad and Tobago forward, 31, signed for the Arabian Gulf League club from Cardiff City on Tuesday in a deal that runs until the end of the season. He attended Jazira training on Tuesday night.
Jones replaces Mirko Vucinic, the Montenegrin who was ruled out for the 2015/16 campaign after injuring his knee in November.
Speaking on his Facebook page, Jones said: “I am really appreciative of the opportunity to have worked with a great team at Cardiff, and to play in front of some of the most passionate fans in Wales. This decision was made based on the opportunities presented to me.
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“I would like to say thank you the Bluebird staff and players — I wish them all success in their future endeavours. I also extend a special thank you to the amazing Bluebird supporters. It has really been my absolute pleasure, and I will never forget you.”
Jones signed for Cardiff, who play in The Championship in England, in January 2014, scoring 19 goals in 67 appearances. He previously played in the Premier League with Sunderland and Stoke City.
Jazira will hope Jones will prove a success at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, particularly since the club currently languish 10th in the UAE top flight following a poor start to the season.
Manager Abel Braga parted company with the Abu Dhabi side last month and was replaced by Henk Ten Cate, the former Ajax and Panathinaikos coach.
The Dutchman should have two new recruits to help his new side climb the league, with Angel Lafita, the Spanish winger, having agreed to join the club from Getafe. Lafita, 31, was also in attendance at training on Tuesday and seems most likely to take the place in the squad of Thiago Neves.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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