Vucinic and Pitroipa sign for Al Jazira

Martyn Thomas 20:15 04/07/2014
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  • Done deal: Vucinic has left Juventus for Al Jazira in a €6m deal.

    Al Jazira have completed their foreign quartet with the signings of Rennes winger Jonathan Pitroipa and Juventus forward Mirko Vucinic.

    The Pride of Abu Dhabi confirmed the moves for the pair on their official Twitter page early this morning, although the Arabian Gulf League side have yet to reveal the details of either deal.

    However, Juventus have confirmed that Vucinic, who is believed to have signed a three-year contract, has moved for a fee of €6.3 million (Dh31.5m).

    Montenegro international, Vucinic, and Bakina Faso’s Pitroipa will be presented to the media this week. Their arrivals have been smoothed with the news that Brazilian Jucilei has been granted Palestinian citizenship, allowing him to fill the club’s vacant Asian slot following the departure of Shin Hyung-min.

    Jazira had been working closely with the Palestinian embassy in the UAE over the summer in order to secure the new passport for the midfielder – who has been capped twice by Brazil.

    Moroccan international Abdelaziz Barrada completes Jazira’s foreign quartet, as the new boss Eric Gerets’ squad takes shape with pre-season training commencing on Fridayt.

    The capital club have beaten off interest from a host of clubs in the Gulf in order to secure the signing of 28-year-old winger, Pitroipa, who had fallen down the pecking order at Rennes.

    The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations player of the tournament has endured a frustrating season in France, that saw him make 23 Ligue 1 appearances without scoring.

    Having scored 14 goals in his previous two seasons in France, where he headed following spells with Hamburg and Freigburg in Germany, Pitroipa had been on the verge of a move to the English Premier League with Stoke City in January.

    With Jucilei retained as an Asian player, he now effectively replaces Shin Hyung-min in the Jazira squad and will be expected to supply the crosses from which fellow new recruit Vucinic can prosper.

    The Montenegrin arrives in Abu Dhabi following 14 years in Italy that have seen him represent Lecce, Roma and Juventus. Vucinic confirmed the deal on his Twitter page, writing: “Just signed for Jazira.”

    Although his new employers are staying tight lipped on the details of either deal until Vucinic and Pitroipa are both officially unveiled, Juve have confirmed the price and that it will be paid in full within the next year.

    An official statement released by the Turin club read: “Juventus Football Club S.p.A announces that an agreement has been finalized with Al Jazira Sports Company for the definitive disposal of the registration rights of the player Mirko Vucinic for a consideration of ¤6.3 million to be paid in 2014/15 financial year.”

    Thirty-year-old Vucinic joins Jazira having won the Serie A title for the last three years in a row under Antonio Conte. He also won the Coppa Italia twice during his time with Roma.

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