Yohan Cabaye chose to leave Crystal Palace to join Dubai-based Al Nasr in the pursuit of a “different challenge”.
The ex-France midfielder, 32, has decided against extending the three-year contract that expired on July 1 in order to move to the Arabian Gulf League, where he has committed to play for two years with the Blue Wave.
Palace had hoped to retain him, having made him their then club-record signing when recruiting him from Paris Saint-Germain for £10 million (Dh57.2m) in 2015.
But their chairman Steve Parish told the club’s official website: “I spoke to Yohan and he explained he wanted a different challenge.
“We wish him all the best and thank him for his time at Palace. We had some great moments together and he will always be welcome back.”
Cabaye said on Instagram: “First of all, I would like to say thank you to everyone involve at the @cpfc family.
“You’ve been amazing with me since day 1 and it’s been a pleasure to work alongside you. Now I’m a
@alnasr_sc player and I’m excited to start my new chapter.”
The Blue Wave have been active throughout the summer transfer window. Promising Brazilian centre forward Iury de Castilho, 22, was purchased last month from Ukraine’s Zorya Luhansk.
This followed the capture of compatriot Samuel Rosa, 27, from relegated Hatta.
Lebanon centre-back Joan Oumari, 29, is likely to be retained in the final foreign-player slot.
In the domestic market, Nasr have landed UAE centre-back Mohammed Marzooq, 29, from Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club, forward Mohamed Al Akbari, 22, from Al Wahda and midfielder Al Hussain Saleh, 27, from Emirates Club.
A substantial improvement from 2017/18’s fourth place is expected after the positive impact of rehiring Serbia’s Ivan Jovanovic as coach in January.
