UAE Pro League 2012/13: New players to watch out for

A look at few players who are expected to shine this new season.

Al Dhafra's Makhete Diop, left, will be keen for an encore after troubling lower-division sides and play-off rivals in the UAE.

Makhete Diop – Al Dhafra

The Senegalese forward was retained after topping the club's scoring chart with 26 goals in 18 games in Division One last season. He added two more to his tally in the three play-off matches to play a key role in the club's promotion. He is strong and pacey, and deadly inside and outside the box. His aerial ability makes him a constant threat from set pieces and long balls. Having tormented opposition defences in the lower tier, he looks ready to make an impact in the Pro League.

Mohamed Zidan – Baniyas

The Egyptian international joins the Pro League club on a two-year contract after a seven-year spell in the German Bundesliga, plying his trade at Werder Bremen, Mainz, Hamburg and Borussia Dortmund. He has been a prolific scorer in Germany and it will be interesting to see him transfer this talent, technical skill and goal-scoring ability for his new club. He will have some excellent young Emirati players - five from the London Olympics team - to support him.

Founeke Sy – Ajman

The Mali forward arrived at the Northern Emirate club after a successful campaign in the Iranian Pro League. He was the second top scorer for Sanat Naft, scoring 20 goals from 32 appearances. At Ajman, Sy has already made a significant impact, demonstrating his power, pace and eye for a goal with a hat-trick in the 6-1 Etisalat Cup win over Dibba Al Fujairah.

Bruno Correa – Al Nasr

The Brazilian forward, on loan from the Iran giants Sepahan, scored in both Asian Champions League games again Al Nasr last season and that must have impressed coach Walter Zenga. Correa has plenty of pace, and Nasr hope he can replace the goal-scoring threat of the departed Marc Bresciano, the Australian midfielder, who was their top scorer last season. Correa brings the experience of playing in three different countries aside his native Brazil - Costa Rica, South Korea and Armenia.

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