Stalwart Tawfeeq Al Hosani’s long service at Al Wahda is at an end after the defensive midfielder decided to call time on his career.

Al Hosani, 33, became a Clarets legend during two spells with them totalling a decade. But after only managing to play seven minutes in the Arabian Gulf League last term, the youth product has announced he will be stepping aside for the third-placed finishers.

First-team manager Abdulbaset Al Hammadi led the praise for the player who was a top-flight champion in 2004/05. He said: “Thank you captain for a fantastic journey. You always gave your all when wearing maroon.”

Al Hosani had been a key figure in the Wahda engine room prior to 2015/16, notching up 55 appearances in the preceding three campaigns since his return from Al Dhafra.

This was to come to an end under coach Javier Aguirre, with the emergence of exciting youngster Mohammed Abdulbasit, improved form of Sultan Al Ghaferi and signing of Brazilian Denilson severly limiting his opportunities.

This reduced role also saw him miss out on making an appearance during the club’s 1-0 triumph against Al Shabab in the Arabian Gulf Cup final.

“Tawfeeq Al Hosani always made the Wahda fans happy,” the club tweeted. “We learned from you love for the badge and sacrifice. “Your name is immortal in our memory and you are a constant reminder of our history.”