Al Ain superstar Omar Abdulrahman has ended speculation he could depart the UAE after making the surprise announcement he had signed a renewal to his rapidly-expiring contract.
Abdulrahman, 23, took to Twitter last night to reveal he had agreed to extend his stay with the Boss for an unspecified amount of years.
The playmaker had entered the last six months of the deal inked in May 2011, leaving him open to negotiating a free-transfer summer exit to a host of interested foreign clubs.
“With thanks to God and from His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, my contract with Al Ain has been renewed,” he tweeted. “I will work with my colleagues to make our loyal fans happy.”
Speculation had grown about his destiny after lighting up January’s Asian Cup, being one of the players of the tournament during the Whites’ enlivening run to third place.
Those awe-inspiring displays had seen a number of Europe-based agents attempting to gain influence with him.
A swift end to the rumours was sought by Abdulrahman and the club’s hierarchy upon his return from Australia three weeks ago, high-level talks between the 32-times capped international and senior vice-president H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaching a successful conclusion.
News of the agreement came as a shock to all but those inside the inner circle between Abdulrahman’s family and Sheikh Hazza with the middle years of his outstanding career now set to be spent in the Middle East rather than football’s traditional heartland to the west.
With no official confirmation coming from management, Al Ain were not able to provide an official press release but the deal is secure.
Boss coach Zlatko Dalic was delighted by the news.
“It is great for our club and fans, but most of all Omar,” he told Sport360. “He is the talisman of our club.
“It was the best decision for him, at this stage of his career, to conti-nue playing his football here. He will now be clear in his head about his future and there will be no speculation in the summer.”
Abdulrahman has hinted about a desire for a new challenge previously but unlike Al Jazira’s Asian Cup top-scoring striker Ali Mabkhout, has not recently agitated for one.
He has been linked repeatedly with a move abroad since starring at the London 2012 Olympics.
Red tape prevented a move to Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City in the aftermath, a switch to Portuguese giants Benfica – among others – since being spurned.
The playmaker has no official representation despite the efforts of a number of leading figures, meaning all official business is done through the club.
He is understood to lean on his father and other family members for career advice.
Abdulrahman has endured an injury-plagued two years, his latest knock picked up two weeks ago making him a serious doubt for Tuesday’s AFC Champions League opener against Al Shabab Riyadh.
