Abu Dhabi // Fresh off the back off helping the Peru national team to third place at the Copa America in the summer, Al Jazira’s newest recruit, Jefferson Farfan, said he is ready to help the club reclaim the league title after a four-year drought.
The Peruvian was introduced to the media yesterday, and set out his ambition to continue his trophy-laden career in the UAE.
With almost 100 goals in 11 seasons with European clubs PSV Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, and Schalke, in Germany, Farfan has a glistening trophy cabinet including four Dutch Eredivisie league titles and a German Cup.
His next goal is restoring the 2010/11 UAE champions back to their “proper place” at the top of the table.
“It is an honour to be here,” he said. “I heard of Al Jazira from a friend of mine. It is a new challenge that I accept and want to take this team back to where they belong. Their proper place.
“The investment in the sport here is amazing. They put such passion behind everything they do. I always accept challenges, and this is one more.
“I have seen [Asamoah] Gyan use this league to further his career, I have seen Manuel Lanzini go from here to the Premier League and West Ham United.
“Many players come over here and build their careers over three or four years. I will use the next three or four years to do the same and make myself a better player.”
With the Arabian Gulf League delayed by a month, Farfan has had extra time to work on his fitness in preparation for the 2015/16 season. “This is the best summer camp I have ever had so I think, for sure, we can bring back the title,” he said.
Farfan said he had been “surprised” by how good his Emirati teammates are during their warm-up matches, singling out UAE forward Ali Mabkhout for special praise.
“I am surprised how talented they are. There is very little difference between here and Germany,” he said.
“Mabkhout is outstanding, and although he plays in the same position as me I don’t care who scores, as long as we win.
“The guys here make my life easier as a footballer. Now I need to play the first couple of games to judge the league and the other players.”
Farfan conceded he was still getting used to the searing August weather, but said that it would not diminish his hard work.
“It is hot here,” he said. “Of course it is, I knew that before I came here. It is a challenge and I always accept challenges.
“It is my ambition to keep challenging myself and this is one more challenge, nothing more, nothing less.”
The forward, who has represented his country 67 times, scoring 17 goals, said he was looking forward to working with the returning Al Jazira coach Abel Braga, saying, like himself, he has a good sense of humour.
“He’s a funny guy. Down to earth and he is a human being, he said. “I cant wait to get out on the field and help this team find more success.”
Abu Dhabi also got the thumbs up from the South American, with Farfan even taking to social media to praise the capital. “This place is buena buena for my family. The locale is great.”
Ahmed Saeed, the first-team supervisor, also had a message for the supporters, saying: “This year Al Jazira will be different. We will add value and we will be one of the best in the league and, of course, try to win the title.
“But we cannot do it alone, we need the fans to be behind us also. We need the fans to be with us every single match.”
Al Jazira are scheduled to play Kuwaiti side Al Qadsia in a friendly on Sunday at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, with the club confirming that Farfan will “definitely” play.
msmith@thenational.ae