Ayew moves to Qatar’s Al Sadd as Funes Mori joins Al Nassr
DOHA: Qatar League defending champions Al Sadd announced on Friday that they have completed the transfer of Ghana international forward André Ayew on a two-season deal.
Ayew, whose father Abedi Pele also played for Al Sadd 39 years ago, joins the Qatari champions on free transfer with an option for an additional year.
Born in France, the 31-year-old winger followed in the footsteps of his father and started his professional career with French giants Marseille in 2007.
Ater eight years in France, he moved to England where he played for Swansea City and West Ham United while he also had a loan spell in Turkey with Fenerbahçe.
Ayew has been the captain of the Ghana national team since 2019 and he boasts great experience, having played in two FIFA World Cup Finals and six editions of the African Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia giants Al Nassr have announced the signing of defender Ramiro Funes Mori.
The 30-year-old Argentinean join Al Nassr from Spanish oufit Villarreal on a two-year contract with the option to renew, the Saudi club announced on their official Twiter account.
Mori, who becomes the fourth foreign player for Al Nassr ahead of the new Saudi Pro League season, started his professional career with Argentinean giants River Plate with whom he won several titles over four seasons.
The Argentinean international then moved to Europe in 2015, joining English side Everton where he spent three seasons before joining Villarreal and was part of the UEFA Europa League winning squad last season.
Al Nassr will be playing in the Round of 16 of this year’s AFC Champions League, taking on Tractor FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Sept.14.
Elsewhere, four-time Saudi League champions Al Ahli announced the signing of former Brazilian international Paulinho on Thursday.
The 32-year-old Brazilian joins the Saudi Pro League side on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Chinese giants Guangzhou FC.
Ater starting his career in Brazil with Vilinius, Paulinho played for several Brazilian clubs before moving to England in 2013 where he joined Tottenham Hotspur.
He then moved to China PR, helping Guangzhou win the 2015 AFC Champions League before returning to Europe where he played for Spanish giants FC Barcelona for two seasons.
He was loaned back to Guangzhou in the 20182019 season before joining them permanently in 2019 and he was chosen as the Footballer of the Year in China PR that year.