Sharjah’s two latest recruits credited the heavy Brazilian influence at the club as reason for moving to the UAE.
The Arabian Gulf League side completed their foreign roster this month, with striker Luan Michel de Louza joining on a two-year deal from Palmeiras and Wanderley Santos Monteiro Junior, a forward, arriving from Al Arabi in Qatar. Both players are usually recognised simply by their forenames.
That takes Sharjah’s Brazilian contingent to five, including coach Paulo Bonamigo, although defender Mauricio Ramos will qualify as the club’s Asian player next season after assuming Palestinian citizenship. Fellype Gabriel, who last term captained the team to a seventh-place finish in the league, has also been retained.
“The presence of the technical staff and four players, all of whom are from Brazil, will make it easier to settle into the team,” said Luan, 25. “Also, I have already played with Ramos at Palmeiras and so have a strong relationship with him.”
Wanderley is rekindling old friendships, too, having previously played under Bonamigo for a season at Ponte Preta, a club based in Sao Paulo.
It was the former Al Shabab and Al Jazira coach who convinced Wanderley, 25, to swap Qatar for the Emirates. Al Arabi reportedly offered the striker another contract, yet the two parties failed to agree on terms.
“I’ve already played with Bonamigo in Brazil, and I am happy to join Sharjah,” Wanderley said. “During my time in Qatar, I was following the UAE league and was impressed.
“I wish to offer added quality to the team and to repay the club’s faith in me.”
Luan replaces compatriot Ze Carlos in the squad, while Wanderley occupies the place freed by Ramos’s qualification as an Asian player.
Ramos, in turn, takes the spot held last season by South Korea’s Kim Jung-woo.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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