Sharjah sign Bernard on 2-season deal from Everton
Sharjah will be hoping that the vast experience of Bernard helps them in the AFC Champions League knockout stage, where they will be taking on compatriots Al Wahda in the Round of 16 on Sept.13
The six-time UAE Pro League champions Sharjah signed Brazilian Bernard for a two-season deal from Everton on Thursday to strength their squad ahead of the AFC Champions League (ACL) next round and the beginning of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) new season.
Bernard started his professional career with Brazilian giants Atletico Mineiro in 2010, before moving to Ukraine three years later where he helped Shakhtar Donetsk win three Ukraine League titles.
The 28-year-old, who began his professional career in 2010 with Atletico Mineiro of Brazil, moved to Ukraine three years later to help Shakhtar Donetsk win three local league titles.
The former international star also helped Brazil win the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013.
The Brazilian joined Premier League oufit Everton in 2018 and ater spending almost three years in England, he switched to the UAE to face new challenges.
He missed the opportunity to move to the Middle East last year, when Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia failed to materialise an official deal with the winger.
The Kings bank on the vast experience of Bernard in the ACL knockout stage, where they will be facing the tough challenge from compatriots Al Wahda in the Round of 16 on Sep.13.
Earlier, as part of Al Jazira’s ambitious plans to further develop their regional-leading academy, the club announced the appointment of James Gow as their new Academy Technical Director.
Gow’s appointment comes as part of Al Jazira’s latest continued efforts and philosophy to develop young talent from their academy.
Abu Dhabi represents the latest stop in Gow’s illustrious career following a wealth of experience acquired in some of the biggest academies and clubs in England, Australia, China and Singapore. He arrives following 12 successful years in various roles with Liverpool FC where he was most recently the International Academy Technical Director in Australia, managing and developing over 30 coaches while also initiating the sports science and a performance analysis departments.
The Englishman embarked on his career at Liverpool FC in 2008 as a young coach working in the club’s community department on inclusion initiatives for children and adults with disabilities and interacting with youth in underprivileged areas.
Gow then took a role as a performance analyst intern in 2011 whilst studying at university, servicing both The Academy and the First Team and working with some of the world’s biggest football stars on introducing an individual player-focused development system.
Gow also successfully led the long-term player development programme during his time as Head of Coaching at Liverpool FC’S International Football Academy in Guilin, China between 2014 and 2015.
Last season served as a great testament to the Club’s academy strategy, as 17 academy graduates featured in the 2020-21 Arabian Gulf League title winning squad. As part of the Club’s long-term strategy, it’s also seeking to further develop players to play abroad in Europe in the near future.
Expressing his delight in joining Al Jazira, newly appointed Academy Technical Director James Gow said: “I am very happy to arrive at the home of the UAE champions. Al Jazira is renowned across the region for its academy and it’s truly a great honour to lead it going forward.”
Meanwhile, the calendar for the first half of the Arabian Gulf League ( AGL) season was recently approved by UAE Pro League (UAEPL), which includes 13 matchweeks and takes place from Aug.19 to Jan.7.
According to the approved calendar, the opening matchweek will be held on Aug.19 and 20. Emirates Club face Shabab Al Ahli, Al Orooba play against Al Wahda, and Ajman face Al Nasr on Aug.19, while Khorfakkan face Al Ain, Al Jazira face Al Dhafra, Bani Yas play with Al Wasl and Sharjah clash with Itihad Kalba on Aug.20.