Jazira make Boussoufa first foreign signing

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  • Making a move: Mbark Boussoufa (2nd r)

    President’s Cup holders Al Jazira yesterday confirmed their first piece of foreign business this summer with the capture of Morocco playmaker Mbark Boussoufa on a two-year deal.

    Boussoufa, 31, has joined the resurgent Pride of Abu Dhabi on a free transfer after his contract at Russian giants Lokomotiv Moscow expired.

    The Chelsea youth product – who arrived at his new side’s training camp in the Netherlands on Wednesday night – is now set to form part of a re-configured four-player foreign quota as coach Henkten Cate attempts to lift his side up from last term’s seventh-placed finish in the Arabian Gulf League.

    “Al Jazira have completed the contracting procedures with Morocco international Mbark Boussoufa after the club received international clearance,” a statement read.

    “The 31-year-old is now officially a player of the first team and has signed a two-year contract. Boussoufa has successfully passed all medical tests and joined up with his new team mates in the intense daily workouts conducted by the team during their on-going training camp in the Netherlands. The club will hold a press conference at a later time.”

    The switch should prompt the departure of attacking midfielder Thiago Neves, just one year after a heralded Dh45m move from Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al Hilal.

    The Brazil international has been joined by Peru forward Jefferson Farfan – who scored in Thursday’s impressive 3-1 friendly win against Eredivise fresh faces Go Ahead Eagles – and Spanish playmaker Angel Lafita in being told by club management they are surplus to requirements.

    At present, lethal Montenegro marskman Mirko Vucinic and South Korea centre midfielder Park Jong-woo are to be retained.

    Negotiations are also continuing with relegated Newcastle United to try and snap up Ivory Coast defensive midfielder Cheick Tiote. Boussoufa comes to the UAE on the back of a four-month loan spell at KAA Gent, in which his two goals during 11 appearances helped them finish third in the Belgian Pro League.

    He had spent the five previous years in the Russian Premier League after a pair of big-money switches to Anzhi Makhachkala and Lokomotiv.

    The Amsterdam-born player had made his name at Anderlecht, where he claimed the Belgian Footballer of the Year award three times during his stay from 2006-11. Despite being born in the Netherlands, he has scored six times in 40 caps for Morocco since his debut a decade ago.

    Jazira have also been busy domestically as they look to build on Ten Cate’s solid work since his December appointment.

    UAE right-back Mohammed Fawzi is to imminently join from Al Ain, while midfielders Salem Abdulla and Humaid Ahmed were purchased from Al Wasl and Fujairah.

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