New signing Digao says Sharjah have all the ingredients to achieve success next season.
The Brazilian defender, 28, joined the Arabian Gulf League club earlier this month from Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. He is one of a number of new faces, including manager Giorgos Donis, Venezuela striker Gelmin Rivas from Saudi’s Al Ittihad and Adrian Mierzejewski, the Polish midfielder recruited this week after being released by Riyadh side Al Nassr.
The summer’s business has raised expectations at Sharjah, who have spent the past few seasons fighting relegation. The five-time UAE champions, who finished 11th last time out, begin the new league campaign away to Al Shabab on September 16.
The club are currently at a training camp in Germany having transferred from Austria, where they spent the past two weeks. Already, Digao has been impressed with what he has seen.
“The training’s allowed me to get to know the team in general,” he said. “There are many promising players whom I think are showing progress every day. The team includes young players who, together with us experienced players, give the right combination that will meet the expectations of the club and its fans this season.”
Digao brings real experience to the Sharjah defence. Having played a key role in Hilal’s journey to the 2014 Asian Champions League final, he then helped the club clinch both the 2015 Kings Cup and 2015/16 Crown Prince Cup.
Last season, Hilal finished second to Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. In all, Digao made 90 appearances during two and a half years with the capital side. Crucially, he worked with Donis for 15 months from February last year.
“I am happy to be on this team. In the short time in training, I’ve gotten to know the players’ high level and their characters,” Digao said. “I enjoy their company both inside and outside the pitch.
“I have spent one and a half years with Donis at Al Hilal. This experience will undoubtedly prove to be useful and will help my job with Sharjah, because I know Donis’ style and he knows me well. We will help each other to better serve the team.”
Of his time in Saudi Arabia, Digao added: “Al Hilal was in my heart back in Riyadh; I am thankful for all those I worked with. I have great memories from Saudi Arabia and will always remember it fondly, but right now, I have a new challenge ahead and we should work hard as a team and aim for titles.
“I am now in Sharjah and a new challenge awaits me. I will do my best to succeed as I did with all the teams I have played for.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
