"UAE move will revive my career", Iranian Ali Daei

MEF - DUBAI, May 26: Iran international centre-forward Ali Daei said in a press conference held in Dubai "the move to Al-Shabab FC will certainly take my career to new horizons," soon after joining the Emirati side for a two-year contract close to the $1.2 million mark.
"Frankly speaking, I have turned down offers from clubs in Turkey, as I am committed to new challenges here in the United Arab Emirates," the former Hertha Berlin and Armenia Bielefeld striker went on saying.
"I have lot of friends here in this country, and I have been following the achievements of my compatriot Ali Karimi who plays his club football here with Al-Ahly of Dubai in a close manner. In fact, Karimi was one of strongest supporters to my move."
In a gesture to show the kind of welcome he will be expecting in Dubai, Al-Shabab skipper Bakhit Saad gave the captaincy to Ali Daei who seemed quite surprised and amazed, before having this comment: "I strongly believe that Iranian players enjoying success in domestic competitions here will herald a new wave of players transfers to your country."
Asked about his ability at 33 years of age to add that extra-dimension to Al-Shabab, Daei replied: "I have never doubted my own abilities at any stage of my career. I am quite familiar with the game in the Gulf region of course, and with the enthusiasm I have already seen at the club and amongst the players, things could only get better in the upcoming new season."
Al-Shabab, one of the wealthiest and best supported clubs in the United Arab Emirates, have suffered a dismal season, avoiding the drop to the second division by just one point.
Club vice-president Abdullah Al-Nabouda announced in the press conference "this is the first of many signings we are about to make in the close season, in order to get the club back to where it belongs at local and continental level."