Arabian Gulf League club Al Wahda have confirmed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Denilson on a three-year contract.
It emerged on Saturday that Denilson had agreed a move to the Abu Dhabi club from Sao Paulo, and the former Arsenal midfielder was expected in the UAE next week to complete the transfer.
However, Al Wahda have announced the deal on the club’s official Twitter account.
“Officially Denilson ... @SaoPauloFC star plays for Al Wahda for three seasons,” the message said.
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Denilson, 27, revealed prior to the move that he had “accepted the offer with a heavy heart because everybody knows about my passion for Sao Paulo.”
Having started his career in Sao Paulo’s youth ranks, Denilson spent five seasons from 2006 at English Premier League club Arsenal before returning to Sao Paulo in 2011.
He captained Brazil at both Under-15 and U17 level, leading the latter to the runners-up spot in the 2005 Fifa U17 World Championship.
He was drafted into the Brazilian national side for a friendly match against Switzerland in November 2006 but did not make his debut.
Denilson's impending arrival marks another major signing in a busy week for Al Wahda, after the club announced former Japan and Atletico Madrid manager Javier Aguirre as their new coach.
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