DUBAI // Al Wasl have finally secured the permanent transfer of Caio, the Internacional attacking midfielder who enjoyed a hugely successful campaign on loan at the Zabeel Stadium last season.
The Dubai club spent the past month in negotiations with the Brazilian Serie A side, but were becoming increasingly frustrated by Internacional’s reluctance in agreeing to the move.
Internacional have finally consented to the sale, which has left Caio free to sign a contract with Wasl. The Brazilian arrives in the UAE on Friday to finalise the deal, which does not span five years as has been reported.
The acquisition of Caio represents a significant boost for Wasl after he excelled on debut last season, scoring 16 Arabian Gulf League goals to finish as the club’s joint-top scorer alongside Fabio Lima. Wasl finished sixth to register their highest league placing since 2010.
“After long negotiations we finally reached the point where everybody was satisfied,” said Majed Obaidallah, the Wasl team manager. “Caio was excellent last season and is a very important signing. He’s really going to add something to the team.”
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Taking to his Instagram account to announce the news, Caio said: “First of all I want to thank Sport Club Internacional on giving many defining moments for me. I am very honoured that I once played for this huge club. I have many dreams to conquer and part of that was in Porto Alegre. It was a short story, but a very happy one.
“Now I’m going back to the UAE to defend another huge club, Al Wasl, with perseverance and dedication to always do my best. Looking forward to winning titles, scoring goals and putting Al Wasl where it’s supposed to be – at the top.
“I am extremely happy to be part of this family again. Thank you everybody involved on my return. Sorry to make everybody wait for so long.”
With Caio on board, Wasl require one more player to complete their foreign contingent for the 2015/16 campaign. Fabio Lima fulfils the second season of his two-year loan deal from Atletico Goianiense, while Hugo Viana signed an extension to his contract last month.
Wasl are seeking a replacement for Ederson after they chose not to extend the striker’s temporary move from Atletico Paranaense. He joined Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol this week.
Wasl had reportedly been in negotiations with Joaquin Larrivey, the Celto Vigo striker, but they are pursuing other targets.
They want to have signings confirmed by the time coach Gabriel Calderon and the squad depart on July 21 for their training camp in the Netherlands.
“Ederson was our second option because our coach’s plan was different,” Obaidallah said. “The player could not give exactly what the coach wanted so we’re working on other possibilities, which aren’t exactly clear at the moment.
“But we’re trying to finish everything before the camp – we want the whole squad there. We’re very short on time.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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