Al Nasr secure signing of Zarate on loan from Watford

Manager Ten Cate hands Al Jazira a relegation warning

Al Nasr have signed Argentinian forward Mauro Zarate on a one-year loan from English Premier League side Watford.

The 30-year-old former Lazio, West Ham United and Fiorentina frontman was drafted in as a replacement for Brazilian striker Wanderley Santos, who injured his knee during Saturday’s 4-2 win away to Al Jazira, and will be out for at least eight weeks.

Zarate, who started his career with Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield, was part of Argentina’s Under-20 World Cupwinning side in 2007 and went on to win the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana cup double with Lazio in 2009.

He injured his cruciate ligament in February, and this move will be seen as vital to his recovery, for eventual reintegration back at Watford.

Zarate will play alongside the fellow foreign contingent of Moroccan midfielder Abdel Aziz Barrada, Lebanese defender Joan Oumari and Brazilian midfielder Marcelo Cirino under former Italy and Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli.

Meanwhile, Al Jazira coach Henk ten Cate has warned the defending champions that they will have a relegation fight on their hands if their poor start to the season continues.

The Abu Dhabi side have lost back-to-back matches against Dibba and Al Nasr, leaving them ninth in the 12-team table with just three points from three matches.

“If we continue like this there will be no title race, only a relegation race,” said the Dutchman.