Andre Senghor says he can’t wait to begin life at the Zabeel Stadium after he was unveiled as an Al Wasl player on Wednesday night after joining on a season-long loan from Bani Yas.
The striker, who was top scorer of the Pro League in 2011 with 18 goals, has one year left on his contract with Bani Yas and will spend that final season with the Cheetahs.
Wasl are believed to be keen on signing the 27-year-old on a permanent basis when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season, but much will depend on how he performs over the course of the campaign.
The Senegalese was Bani Yas’ top scorer last season, netting 17 goals in 27 games, but instead of starting the new term in Abu Dhabi, Senghor flew to Germany on Thursday morning to meet his new team-mates.
“I have been there for four seasons, but I am just happy to be here. I want to try something else, I want to feel myself again, and see myself in a new environment,” Senghor told Sport360°.
“Everyone in the Gulf knows Al Wasl is one of the biggest teams in the UAE, so I’m very proud to be here. I can see from the atmosphere that people are waiting for me and that feels very nice. So I am ready to give not just 100 per cent but 200 per cent.”
The Senegal international joins Milan Susak, Kaio and Mariano Donda to complete the club's foreign quota.
While Wasl admit to being keen on signing Senghor permanently next year, the player himself was non-committal. “I want to do good things first, to make the people happy. After that, we will see,” said the striker.
Bani Yas have adopted a new policy of signing younger players this off-season, bringing in Carlos Munoz and Luis Farina, both of whom are in their early 20s.
But at 27, Senghor feels his best years are still to come and he will prove it this season by taking Wasl in a new direction. “No, I don’t think I am too old, the decision was from the coach and I respect him because it has be like this, you have to be professional.
“This season it will be totally different, I promise it. I am here with the other foreign players to work hard because we are the first to be expected to bring the team up the table.”
Board member Mohammad Al Amri also promised that Wasl have not yet finished with the transfer market. “We hope the fans stay behind us. This is a promise, there will be more local players, this is not the last contract for the club," he said.
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