Al Shabab have strengthened their squad with the signing of the Bahrain international defender Hussain Baba. Baba, 27, who last played for Al Salmiya, has also featured for several clubs in Qatar and Kuwait but the move to Shabab represents the first time he will play in the UAE Pro League. After starting his career with Al Riffa, Baba moved to Al Shamal in Qatar where he spent one year before joining Al Kuwait, helping the side to the Kuwait league title two years later.
Baba returned to Qatar for the 2007-08 season where he joined Al Rayyan before moving to Umm Salal the following season. "I was close to joining Al Qadisiya in Saudi Arabia, but the offer from Al Shabab was really tempting," said Baba. "I'm glad that I will join such a great team and play in a big league such as the UAE League." Shabab won the UAE League title in 2008 to qualify for the 2009 Asian Champions League but they failed to defend their title as they finished sixth in the league and were knocked out of the first round of the ACL. * PA Sport
