Bani Yas bolster squad ahead of new season
dubai — Bani Yas are bolstering their squad ahead of the new season, signings they hope will help them stay in the UAE top flight after a one-year absence.
Bani Yas made a return to the Arabian Gulf League for the forthcoming season after being crowned champions in the First Division. And the Sky Blues are going about restructuring their squad with a handful of acquisitions during the summer transfer window.
Al Shamkha club’s latest arrival is Abdul Kadiri Mohammed, with the Ghanian centre back joining the Sky Blues on a season-long loan. The 22-year-old arrives from Austrian Bundesliga club FK Austria Wien.
“Bani Yas Club has signed a contract with Ghanian player Abdul Kadiri Mohammed for a season from FK Austria Wien,” the club announced on their official twitter handle.
“The 22-year-old is able to play at the centre of defence and defensive midfield, which gives several options to the team,” the club added.
Mohammed made 32 appearances for FK Austria Wien since joining them from Ghanian club Ashanti Gold Sporting Club in 2016. He made his youth debut with Ashanti Gold Sporting Club before making his senior debut in the 2015-2016 season.
Mohammed earned a Ghana call-up in 2016 under former Chelsea manager Avram Grant.
He becomes the third foreign arrival in the summer after Colombian midfielder Michael Ortega and Ivory Coast striker Manucho.
The 27-year-old Ortega, a former Bayern Leverkusen loanee, joined the Sky Blues on a one-year contract, while Manucho arrives on a season-long loan from Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad. Meanwhile, midfielder Fawaz Awana has returned to his former club following a spell with Dubai club Al Nasr. During his two seasons with Al Nasr, Awana made 28 appearances in the Arabian Gulf League and one in the AFC Champions League.
Bani Yas will be looking to a member of Croatia’s World Cup class of 1998 Krunoslav Jurcic to guide them through the new season. The 48-year-old was appointed manager for a season and joined from Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
Jurcic was Croatia’s assistant coach in 2012 represented top Croatia club Dinamo Zagreb with distinction, both as player and manager.
Capped 21 times by Croatia, the former defensive midfielder played three matches in the 1998 World Cup, where they finished third. Jurcic featured in the Champions League, both as player and coach, with Dinamo Zagreb. He won the Croatian League six times, three as a player and three as coach.
Meanwhile, Al Wahda have appointed former Inter Milan, Chelsea and Juventus star Romania’s Adrian Mutu as their reserve team coach.