Abu Dhabi // New Al Wahda signing Denilson has promised fans of the Abu Dhabi club that he is here to win trophies.
At his official unveiling at Al Nahyan Stadium the player was presented with the No 15 shirt by its previous owner Bader Al Harthi and the former Arsenal and Sao Paulo man expressed his gratitude for his welcome to the club.
“I promise Al Wahda fans that I’ll work hard and give everything I can over the next three years to win titles,” he said. “I came here because I am committed and not just for one or two years. I’m here to play as long as I can because I feel I will be settled.”
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Al Wahda paid Sao Paulo €3 million (Dh11.9m) for Denilson’s services and the player will earn €1.8 million a year.
“The main reason for signing with Al Wahda is because I believe in the project here,” Denilson said. “My agent explained everything about the club, the team has a big reputation in the Gulf and UAE, and that’s why I’m here.”
On the club’s ambition for the coming season, the 27-year-old midfielder said Al Wahda will be among several teams vying for the Arabian Gulf League title.
“I know that in the UAE there are always seven or eight teams challenging,” he said. “Al Wahda has all the attributes to challenge for the league title this season. I know that the UAE league is improving from year to year, and thanks to my agent I am here.”
Since the deal was agreed several weeks ago, Denilson has tried to get up to speed on the standards of the AGL.
“When I first spoke to my agent about moving to Al Wahda I went to YouTube to watch the club’s matches and other AGL matches as well,” he said.
“I liked the style of the team and the way football is played in the UAE. Players are good and the football is fast and that’s how he likes to play as well.”
Denilson has yet to start training with his new teammates but said he has seen enough from the coach Javier Aguirre and players to know how serious they are about winning titles.
“He has a big reputation, he is very good,” he said. “I played for Arsenal against him when he was at Atletico Madrid. He is a great coach and he has shown he’ll be a big plus for Al Wahda.”
Denilson said Hamdan Al Kamali, Ismail Matar and Mohammed Al Shehhi will be key players for Al Wahda and has already discussed with the coach where his best position is.
“Early in my career I used to play more defensive role at Sao Paulo, but at Arsenal I played in a more attacking position and that is where I feel more at home,” he said.
Denilson laughed off suggestions that the weather here will help him settle.
“There is a big difference between here and Brazil,” he said. “The weather here is killing me.”
akhaled@thenational.ae
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