Brazilian forward Leonardo has said he wants to help Al Jazira become “the best team in Asia” having achieved that target at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Leonardo, 30, completed his move to Jazira from Jeonbuk on Friday and was officially presented by the Arabian Gulf League leaders on Saturday.
His crowning achievement from four-and-a-half years with the Korean club came in November when his two goals proved decisive as Jeonbuk won the Asian Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate victory over UAE club Al Ain. Leonardo scored a total of 10 goals in the competition.
The Brazilian, who has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, has now set his sights on helping Jazira emulate his former club.
“It’s a new team and a new home for me,” Leonardo said. “When I was in Korea, I had a desire to move to the UAE. Jazira opened that door for me.
“I want to be here for many years and help this club to win every title and to be the best team in Asia.”
Leonardo’s immediate goal is to regain his match fitness after a 20-day break with the hope of being ready for selection for Jazira’s Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final against Al Ahli on Monday.
“I had an opportunity to meet and train with my new teammates. I just need three to four days, and then I’ll be ready to play this game,” he said.
“However, all that will depend if my papers are accepted by the competition committee and if my coach is willing to include me in the line-up or the squad.”
Leonardo may be one of the finest strikers in Asian football, but Jazira manager Henk ten Cate has challenged the club’s new signing to prove his worth.
“He brings in all the basic skills, mentality, physical condition, technical quality and experience,” the Dutchman said. “This is important. Now he must show, particularly to me and the team, he is better than what we had.”
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