Bani Yas’ much-delayed summer recruitment drive will begin with the imminent arrival of South Korea midfielder Kim Jung-woo from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Kim, 32, is expected to agree a one-year deal with an option for an additional year once the formalities are completed before the weekend.
The 68-time capped international excelled while on loan at rivals Sharjah last season, his stellar performances being rewarded with a spot in the Arabian Gulf League Team of the Year.
Bani Yas have endured a fruitless summer so far, failing with attempts to land Al Wahda defender Hamdan Al Kamali and fill the three remaining spots available to them for foreign players.
But Sky Blues first team manager Mohammed Aida Al Minihali revealed the club have been happy to wait for the confirmation of new coach Luis Garcia and sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch in the last fortnight before igniting their transfer market activities.
“Kim is a player we have liked for a long time,” he said. “It is hard to bring in Asian players with great experience, but we have managed to do that with him. There has been a delay to our activites when compared to our rivals. But we did not want to buy just anybody, and were happy to wait until Luis Garcia and Jesus Garcia Pitarch arrived.”
Kim – who scored one goal in 27 appearances in all competitions for Sharjah last term – will occupy the Asian player slot, replacing Omani defender Abdulsalam Al Mukhaini.
There had been reported issues with Bani Yas’ only current foreign player, with Chile international Carlos Munoz yet to arrive from South America for pre-season.
Al Minihali insisted the delay had been approved as the striker is suffering from a back injury, with Bani Yas not wanting him to board a plane and risk aggravating the problem in time to report for duty on July 15.
The parties remain in communication, with Munoz expected back well before the squad travels for a pre-season training camp in Germany on August 10.
