Brazilian striker Grafite has left Al Ahli for Qatari club Al Sadd, bringing to an end a successful three-and-a-half years at the Rashid Stadium.
Grafite signed for Al Ahli in June 2011 and scored 63 goals in 79 league games, playing a key role in the club’s 2012-13 Arabian Gulf Leauge title triumph, UAE President’s Cup win, and two Arabian Gulf Cups.
The former Wolfsburg forward was named 2012/13 Arabian Gulf League International Player of the Year ahead of Al Ain striker Asamoah Gyan.
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“Grafite is already in Qatar and we would like to thank him for all the wonderful effort he has put through the years for the club,” Ahmed Khalifa Hammad, Ahli’s chief executive, revealed yesterday.
“He has signed a deal with Al Sadd and we wish him all the best. This is the nature of professional football, but he will always be a member of this great Ahli family.”
The Dubai club also confirmed the departure of defender Basheer Saeed to league leaders Al Jazira, and Hammad hinted that there more business could be completed before the end of the transfer window.
“At Al Ahli, the surprises keep coming,” Hammad said. “We have taken the responsibility of improving this team, recruiting players with great potential, players who have successful or are hungry for success.
“So, there are still 10 days until the end of the winter transfer window and anything can happen. Let’s wait and see.”
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