ABU DHABI // Mirko Vucinic is looking forward to linking up with new signing Thiago Neves this season as Al Jazira set their sights on winning the Arabian Gulf League.
On Sunday night, Jazira had their first training session under new manager Abel Braga, where Neves, 30, signed from Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal last month, had his first run-out with his new teammates.
Vucinic was absent as he attended the AGL awards, where he took home trophies for Best Foreign Player and the Golden Boot as last season’s top scorer.
“I have heard about Neves and his ability to score,” said the Montenegrin striker. “I hope he will score more goals for us and I would just like to assist him and strike a good partnership to complement the club’s attacking options.
Vucinic had success with the club’s foreigners Manuel Lanzini (Argentina), Jonathan Pitroipa (Burkina Faso) and Jucilei da Silva (Brazilian who played under a Palestine passport), but none of them were retained for the new season.
“It is not new in football. These things are very common wherever and whichever club you play for, the players come and go,” he said.
“Of course one needs to adapt and I am sure I can do that as quickly as possible. The coaches are also like players. They come and go.
“I would like to thank our previous coach Eric Gerets for whatever he did for the club and now looking forward to work with the new coach Abel Braga.”
Jazira have signed Brazilian Neves and Korean Park Jong-woo, and are looking to the transfer market for one more to complete their foreign quartet.
“We had a decent last season but could have been better had we won a trophy,” added Vucinic.
“Jazira have assembled a strong squad for the coming season and we are hopeful we can fulfil the objective of winning trophies for the club.”
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