Youssef Mohamad, the Cologne defender, said he signed a two-year contract with Al Ahli of the professional league so he can be closer to his family in Lebanon.
"I have signed, I wanted to be near my family," Mohamad told Bild newspaper.
Cologne have yet to confirm the deal, but Portuguese defender Henrique Sereno, 26, has already passed a medical at the Bundesliga club and is expected to be Mohamad's replacement.
Mohamad, who was the Cologne captain, said there was no other reason for his sudden departure than a desire to be with his family.
"There is only one reason: My family need me and I need them," said Mohamad, 31.
"It takes just over two hours to fly from Dubai to my home in Lebanon.
"There are more important things in life than money."