Emirati footballer Mohammed Al Daheri during a training session with his new club in Iraq. Photo: Mohammed Al Daheri
Emirati footballer Mohammed Al Daheri during a training session with his new club in Iraq. Photo: Mohammed Al Daheri
Emirati footballer Mohammed Al Daheri during a training session with his new club in Iraq. Photo: Mohammed Al Daheri
Emirati footballer Mohammed Al Daheri during a training session with his new club in Iraq. Photo: Mohammed Al Daheri

Mohammed Al Daheri becomes first Emirati footballer to play in Iraqi Premier League


Ali Al Shouk
  • English
  • Arabic

Footballer Mohammed Al Daheri has become the first Emirati player to sign with a team in the Iraqi Premier League.

The left-back, 31, recently travelled to Iraq to finalise the conditions of his contract with his new club, Al Diwaniya.

On Thursday, the club announced on social media that Al Daheri will play for the team in the coming season.

The first game of the season will take place on October 2 and the last match is scheduled for July 1 next year.

Al Daheri played for Al Ain football club in 2010 before moving to other Emirati clubs including Al Wasl, Al Wahda, Al Sharjah, Al Fujairah, Masfout and Dibba Al Fujairah.

The player's agent told The National there will be a press conference held in Iraq on Tuesday to reveal more details of the transfer.

The footballer posted pictures on his Twitter account showing him training with his new club.

“A new season … a new challenge,” he said in the post.

The club’s coach, Samer Saeed, also posted a video online last week welcoming the talented player on his arrival in Baghdad.

“Welcome to Iraq. You are among your people. We are honoured to have you,” he said.

The Iraqi Premier League is the top level of the Iraqi football league.

With 20 clubs participating, it is overseen by the Iraq Football Association and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Iraq Division One.

Al Diwaniya, founded in 1965, is one of the country's most popular football clubs.

The specs: 2018 Genesis G70

Price, base / as tested: Dh155,000 / Dh205,000

Engine: 3.3-litre, turbocharged V6

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 370hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 510Nm @ 1,300rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.6L / 100km

Profile

Company: Libra Project

Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware

Launch year: 2017

Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time

Sector: Renewable energy

Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.

The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder

Transmission: seven-speed auto

Power: 400hp

Torque: 500Nm

Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)

On sale: 2022 

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

SPECS

Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now

Updated: September 20, 2022, 7:57 AM