Bani Yas signing Royston Drenthe not in UAE for 'a holiday'

Matt Jones - Editor 05:44 14/09/2015
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  • New arrival: Drenthe.

    New Bani Yas signing Royston Drenthe insists he has come to the UAE to work and not for a holiday.

    The former Real Madrid winger put pen to paper on a one-year deal at the Sky Blues on Friday, with the option of another year.

    “I’ve been to the UAE before but that was for vacation. Now I have to work, so that’s a different thing,” the 28-year-old said, after watching his new team beat Dibba Al Fujairah 3-0 on Saturday to continue their perfect start to the Arabian Gulf League-season.

    “The first thing I want to do is do a good job. I’m not coming here for a vacation. That’s in the past.”

    The Dutchman has led a nomadic career since he was snapped up by Los Blancos from Feyenoord eight years ago for €14 million (Dh57m) after starring for the Dutch Under- 21s during their the 2007 European Under-21 Championships success on home soil.

    Drenthe made 65 appearances for Madrid, scoring four goals in five seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu. But he also experienced loan spells at La Liga minnows Hercules in 2010-11 and Premier League club Everton in 2011-12.

    The left-footer has since spent much of his career roaming the football wilderness. He underwhelmed at Championship sides Reading and Sheffield Wednesday from 2013-15, also playing in Russia for Alania Vladikavkaz two years ago and was most recently at relegated Turkish Super Lig-outfit Kayseri Erciyesspor.

    Drenthe revealed he was not short of offers this summer – including from clubs back in the Netherlands and some Championship teams – but said he chose Bani Yas because he was made to feel welcome.

    “I’m very happy. I’ve been received really well,” he said. “It’s something new in my career and an opportunity. I had opportunities to go to other clubs but I didn’t feel really appreciated.

    “The moment I came here I felt appreciated straight away and that’s what I want, to feel comfortable. The moment I feel comfortable you will see I will have impact on matches.”

    The once-capped Netherlands international said he was impressed by what he saw from his new teammates in their second-successive top-flight win and is targeting next Friday’s trip to Fujairah as a possible debut.

    Drenthe said: “I saw lots of good things and that’s given me a lot of hunger to work and to come in the team and show my quality.”

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