Jorge Valdivia excited to get to work with Al Wahda

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  • Champion: Valdivia.

    Chile star Jorge Valdivia has thanked Al Wahda for their patience as a contractual wrangle holds up his heralded UAE return.

    Valdivia, 31, is set to imminently head back to the Middle East on a two-year deal worth €2.5 million per season (Dh10m) after the Clarets announced they had beaten competition from Saudi Arabia and China to secure his signature from Palmeiras earlier this month.

    The maverick playmaker starred for Al Ain from 2008-10 and is expected to light up the Arabian Gulf League once again after his stellar performances during La Roja’s recent Copa America win.

    ‘El Mago’ has so far been frustrated in his attempts to link up with Javier Aguirre’s men, investors which brought him to Brazil five years ago preventing an early release from a contract which officially ends on August 17. This led to fears the switch could collapse at the last minute, like his agreement with Fujairah last July, but Valdivia insists his mind has only been set on Al Nahyan Stadium.

    “When news began to leak out that I might leave Brazil and head to the UAE there was a lot of media misinformation at a time when I was concentrating only on the Copa America,” he told Al Ittihad.

    “After the tournament I went to Brazil and sat down with the Palmeiras president to discuss my contract. I have the right to leave after this date and I explained to him I had contracted with Al Wahda.

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    “I tried very hard to come back to Abu Dhabi before this date but, unfortunately, there is a clause which requires the club’s permission. The investor’s intransigence has prevented me joining Wahda thus far but I want to thank the club and coach Javier Aguire for their understanding.”

    Valdivia is at the forefront of a Wahda revolution as they aim to improve on last term’s fourth-place.

    Former Mexico and Atletico Madrid boss Aguirre offers substantial experience as Sami Al Jaber’s replacement, while ex-Arsenal man Denilson has also been recruited.

    “I received a number of offers from the Arabian Gulf and China, but Wahda were always my first choice,” Valdivia said. “I committed to joining even before officially signing on the day of the Copa America final.

    “I kept the promise to Al Wahda’s president [Ahmed Al Rumaithi] and celebrated that day by joining the club and winning the cup with my country.

    “I’m on the verge of a new challenge. Wahda has great potential, many good players, and the leadership of Aguirre could make a good combination to become a strong contender.”

    The Clarets are currently on a pre-season tour to Germany. They begin the season away at newly-promoted Dibba Al Fujairah between August 20-22.

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