Mercurial playmaker Jorge Valdivia “had no doubts” about signing up with Al Wahda this summer despite his Copa America heroics leading to a serious set of tempting offers.
Valdivia, 31, inked a two-year contract last month to begin once his ties to Brazilian giants Palmeiras expired on August 17.
He finally travelled to the UAE on Friday, anticipation at his delayed arrival seeing dozens of celebratory Clarets supporters swarming him at Abu Dhabi Airport.
Speaking at his unveiling in a packed Wahda media centre yesterday, the coveted former Al Ain superstar revealed contentment with the switch even though his
“I had so many other options, but when I got the call from Al Wahda I had no doubts,” said Valdivia, who cracked jokes throughout and cut a relaxed figure in ripped jeans.
“Al Wahda management made it clear they were very interested in me. I know the league, I know the city and I know the country.”
The Colo-Colo youth product was intrinsic to the triumph of Jorge Sampaoli’s men, starting each game on the way to a penalty-shootout win against Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the final.
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His move to the Middle East has not seen him drop out of the international reckoning, being called up for September 5’s friendly against Paraguay.
Valdivia said: “My life has remained the same since the Copa America win. Nothing has changed.
“I have the same wife, same kids and same car. My participation with the national team will not affect my performances here.”
Valdivia heads back to the Arabian Gulf League half a decade since a glorious two-season spell in the Garden City came to an end.
He won the 2008/09 Arabian Gulf Cup and President’s Cup double there, also scoring 18 top-flight goals in 49 appearances and picking up the 2009 Arabian Gulf Super Cup.
He insisted he would not treat September 25’s first meeting with Al Ain as any different to the other fixtures.
“Of course, it is a clasico against Al Ain and an important game,” the ex-C.D.
Universidad de Concepcion, Rayo Vallecano and Servette player said. “But that is not what I am thinking about now.
“I am thinking about the next game. Hopefully, I can play.”
Wahda have strong ambitions to improve on last term’s fourth-placed finish, new boss Javier Aguirre being tasked with securing AFC Champions League football.
“Everybody knows Valdivia,” board member Dr Jamal Al Hosani said. “For us, it is a big plus.
“We always have ambitious goals. Valdivia is one link into that.”
