Hatta sign Romanians Ropotan and Radut

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  • New signings: Radut (l) and Ropotan.

    Newly-promoted Hatta have turned to a Romanian double act as they bid to avoid instant relegation from the Arabian Gulf League.

    Winger Mihai Radut, 26, and defensive midfielder Adrian Ropotan, 30, are the latest players to sign up as the Tornado prepare for a first top-flight campaign during the professional era.

    The internationally-capped pair have arrived on free transfers after their agreements with Pandurii Targu Jiu expired once they helped them finish third in the 2015/16 Liga I. The duo were unveiled late on Monday after inking one-year deals, continuing the rapid recruitment drive of the First Division League champions.

    Their entrances mean three spots in their four-player foreign quota have been filled by new faces, with exciting Jordan winger Yaseen Al Bakhit also being recruited without a fee at the end of last month.

    The non-Emiratis compliment some impressive domestic buys. Forward Mohammed Malallah is the headline acquisition after he was the fourth-highest-scoring Emirati during the 2015/16 AGL with six goals in 23 matches for lowly Emirates Club.

    Experience has been added into the squad by versatile attacker Essa Obaid. The 32-year-old’s 11-year association with Al Shabab was brought to an end last week after he made only eight appearances in all competitions.

    Defender Mahmoud Hassan has also joined from Emirates, with full-back Bader Abdulrahman being bought from Sharjah and forward Maher Jassim purchased from relegated Al Shaab.

    Hatta were last in the UAE’s leading division during 2007/08, the final season of amateur play. Their opening match this time sees Arabian Gulf Cup winners Al Wahda take the 266-kilometre trip north east to Hatta Stadium, with round one set to be held between September 16-18.

    For the latest additions, Ropotan boasts greater experience. The former Dinamo Moscow player narrowly missed out on a place in Romania’s Euro 2016 squad, being taken off at half-time during May 28’s 1-1 friendly draw against Democratic Republic of Congo.

    He had also come off the substitutes’ bench during March’s goalless draw with Spain.

    Ropotan had impressed in 11 top-flight appearances since a January switch from Petrolul Ploiesti, with Pandurii hopeful of gaining a contract renewal.

    They had a similar wish for Sporting Lisbon academy product Radut. The wide man – who is comfortable on either flank or utilised down the middle – first came to the Miners on a loan deal from 2012/13, which was made permanent upon expiry.

    He has gone on to score eight goals during 64 games in all competitions prior to his UAE move.

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