• Uruguay's Nicolas Lodeiro (L) vies with UAE's Ismail Al Hammadi during their men’s football match during the London 2012 Olympic Games at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on July 26, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES *** Local Caption *** 069336-01-08.jpg
    Uruguay's Nicolas Lodeiro (L) vies with UAE's Ismail Al Hammadi during their men’s football match during the London 2012 Olympic Games at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on July 26, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES *** Local Caption *** 069336-01-08.jpg
  • Carlos Villanueva, centre, is expected to be Al Shabab's director guy this year if he stays fit. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Carlos Villanueva, centre, is expected to be Al Shabab's director guy this year if he stays fit. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Ali Mabkhout, right, seen in the UAE national kit, is one of the most exciting strikers in the Emirates. He has even been described by Oliveira, his teammate at Al Jazira, as the best. He has not been able to dislodge his foreign colleague in the starting???
    Ali Mabkhout, right, seen in the UAE national kit, is one of the most exciting strikers in the Emirates. He has even been described by Oliveira, his teammate at Al Jazira, as the best. He has not been able to dislodge his foreign colleague in the starting???
  • Driss Fettouhi, in orange, is among UAE's veteran expatriate football players to really shine through on the pitch. The Moroccan midfielder is a pleasure to watch on the pitch and is expected to contribute for Ajman again. Jaime Puebla / The National
    Driss Fettouhi, in orange, is among UAE's veteran expatriate football players to really shine through on the pitch. The Moroccan midfielder is a pleasure to watch on the pitch and is expected to contribute for Ajman again. Jaime Puebla / The National
  • Walid Abbas, in green, has for a while provided an assured presence in Al Shabab's defence. His move to Ahli has even bemoaned by his former coach Marcos Pacqueta. Ebrahim Noroozi / AP Photo
    Walid Abbas, in green, has for a while provided an assured presence in Al Shabab's defence. His move to Ahli has even bemoaned by his former coach Marcos Pacqueta. Ebrahim Noroozi / AP Photo
  • Boris Kabi has been among the goals for Ajman. He was even an integral part of his team's Etisalat Cup win last season. Surprisingly, though, none of the big clubs have pursued his signature yet. Sarah Dea / The National
    Boris Kabi has been among the goals for Ajman. He was even an integral part of his team's Etisalat Cup win last season. Surprisingly, though, none of the big clubs have pursued his signature yet. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Amer Abdulrahman, right, seen in the UAE national kit, has been one of Baniyas' - and Arabian Gulf League's - most sensational midfield stars. Considered good enough for a trial at Blackburn Rovers, an English Championship club, Abdulrahman has commanding???
    Amer Abdulrahman, right, seen in the UAE national kit, has been one of Baniyas' - and Arabian Gulf League's - most sensational midfield stars. Considered good enough for a trial at Blackburn Rovers, an English Championship club, Abdulrahman has commanding???
  • Michel Bastos arrives at Al Ain after seven seasons in the French Ligue 1. He is likely to be a more-than-ample provider to Gyan on the pitch for Al Ain. Jeff Pachoud / AFP
    Michel Bastos arrives at Al Ain after seven seasons in the French Ligue 1. He is likely to be a more-than-ample provider to Gyan on the pitch for Al Ain. Jeff Pachoud / AFP
  • It is a shame Mariano Donda had a knee injury for the best part of last season, but the Argentine playmaker is back to full fitness, which is great news for Al Wasl. Lee Hoagland / The National
    It is a shame Mariano Donda had a knee injury for the best part of last season, but the Argentine playmaker is back to full fitness, which is great news for Al Wasl. Lee Hoagland / The National
  • Carlos Munoz's arrival at Baniyas could be worth the wait, according to McAuley. The forward struck 60 times in 123 league matches in his native Chile, with Santiago Wanderers and Colo-Colo, and could be prolific in the UAE as well. Satish Kumar / The Nat???
    Carlos Munoz's arrival at Baniyas could be worth the wait, according to McAuley. The forward struck 60 times in 123 league matches in his native Chile, with Santiago Wanderers and Colo-Colo, and could be prolific in the UAE as well. Satish Kumar / The Nat???
  • Ibrahima Toure will provide Al Nasr's firepower in the forward line with the former Ajman player excellent in the air and cool in goal. He has already tasted success in UAE club football. Sarah Dea / The National
    Ibrahima Toure will provide Al Nasr's firepower in the forward line with the former Ajman player excellent in the air and cool in goal. He has already tasted success in UAE club football. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Apart with Grafite, Asamoah Gyan is the biggest football star in the UAE. The Al Ain forward even broke the record for most number of goals in a season. His has been a success story since leaving Sunderland, the English Premier League, two seasons ago. Sa???
    Apart with Grafite, Asamoah Gyan is the biggest football star in the UAE. The Al Ain forward even broke the record for most number of goals in a season. His has been a success story since leaving Sunderland, the English Premier League, two seasons ago. Sa???
  • Omar Abdulrahman is the best playmaker in the UAE and has led Al Ain to back-to-back league titles. Pawan Singh / The National
    Omar Abdulrahman is the best playmaker in the UAE and has led Al Ain to back-to-back league titles. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Al Ain's Khalid Essa, in grey, is a gifted goalkeeper whose input will be crucial in matches against title rivals, especially Ahli. Mike Young / The National
    Al Ain's Khalid Essa, in grey, is a gifted goalkeeper whose input will be crucial in matches against title rivals, especially Ahli. Mike Young / The National
  • Al Dhafra's Makhete Diop, left, sparkled in his debut campaign last term, scoring 22 times in 30 matches across all competitions and is particularly dangerous from crosses. Imagine what he can do now he knows the league well. Mutawakil Mubarak / Al Ittiha?
    Al Dhafra's Makhete Diop, left, sparkled in his debut campaign last term, scoring 22 times in 30 matches across all competitions and is particularly dangerous from crosses. Imagine what he can do now he knows the league well. Mutawakil Mubarak / Al Ittiha?
  • Jociel Ferreira da Silva - better known as Ciel - has made the switch from Al Shabab to Al Ahli. According to John McAuley, he is 'menacing and mercurial' and can handle the heat, which is a huge asset in this part of the world. Ashraf Umrah / Al Ittihad
    Jociel Ferreira da Silva - better known as Ciel - has made the switch from Al Shabab to Al Ahli. According to John McAuley, he is 'menacing and mercurial' and can handle the heat, which is a huge asset in this part of the world. Ashraf Umrah / Al Ittihad
  • Hugo Viana, in red, the Portuguese midfielder, is one of the signature signings of the season. The 30 year old has not lived up to his promise in Europe and will want to make amends Al Ahli. Satish Kumar / The National
    Hugo Viana, in red, the Portuguese midfielder, is one of the signature signings of the season. The 30 year old has not lived up to his promise in Europe and will want to make amends Al Ahli. Satish Kumar / The National
  • Ricardo Oliveira, in white, has been Al Jazira's most prolific goal-scorer in the past couple of seasons and is expected to continue his form. Satish Kumar / The National
    Ricardo Oliveira, in white, has been Al Jazira's most prolific goal-scorer in the past couple of seasons and is expected to continue his form. Satish Kumar / The National
  • Morocco's Abdelaziz Barrada, centre, is considered a brilliant playmaker with excellent vision besides being a set-piece master. A brilliant signing from Getafe, the Spanish Primera Liga side. David Moir / Reuters
    Morocco's Abdelaziz Barrada, centre, is considered a brilliant playmaker with excellent vision besides being a set-piece master. A brilliant signing from Getafe, the Spanish Primera Liga side. David Moir / Reuters
  • Grafite, earlier suspected to join UAE club football for excellent pay, has actually proved to be a star for Al Ahli, leading them to titles including the Etisalat Cup, apart from winning the Golden Boot award last season. Pawan Singh / The National
    Grafite, earlier suspected to join UAE club football for excellent pay, has actually proved to be a star for Al Ahli, leading them to titles including the Etisalat Cup, apart from winning the Golden Boot award last season. Pawan Singh / The National

Sport

In pictures: AGL stars to watch out for

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