Baniyas have completed the signing of Joaquin Larrivey, the Celta Vigo striker previously linked with Al Wasl and Al Nasr, on a two-year contract.
The Argentine, 30, had been on the verge of a move to Norwich City earlier this month, but the newly promoted Premier League side reportedly called off the £1.4 million transfer (Dh8m), much to the frustration of the player.
Larrivey becomes Baniyas’ second confirmed recruit of the summer, following Australian midfielder Mark Milligan, who joined the club from Melbourne Victory last month.
Larrivey’s arrival appears to have signalled an end to Michiel Kramer’s proposed switch from ADO Den Haag. The Dutch frontman travelled to Abu Dhabi at the beginning of this month to finalise a three-year contract, yet the deal apparently never materialised because of issues regarding payment between the two clubs.
Den Haag’s director, Jan Willem Wigt, expressed his disappointment to the Dutch media, saying: “We set Baniyas a clear deadline by which they must meet our conditions – that deadline has now expired and therefore we pull the plug.”
Kramer also spoke of his regret that the transfer to the Arabian Gulf League was called off. Baniyas, however, were unavailable for comment on Tuesday night.
Larrivey's acquisition should excite their supporters, though, with the powerful forward scoring 11 goals in 35 La Liga appearances for Celta Viga last season. He had played the previous campaign at Rayo Vallecano, finding the net 12 times in 35 league matches.
Between 2007 and 2012, Larrivey represented Italy’s Cagliari, having joined them from Huracan in his homeland. Yet he never really settled in Serie A and therefore spent loan spells in Argentina at Velez Sarsfield and Colon, before moving temporarily in 2012 to Mexico’s Atlante.
Meanwhile, Baniyas have added to their local roster, signing former defender Thamer Mohammed from Wasl and goalkeepers Mohammed Al Naqbi and Adel Fadaq from Al Shabab and Al Wahda, respectively.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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