Dibba Al Fujairah have bolstered their defence ahead of the new Arabian Gulf League season with the acquisition of South Korean defender Heo Jae-won.

The 31-year-old centre-half was a free agent after leaving Qatar’s Al Khor who finished a distant 10th in the Qatar Stars League last season.

The length of the contract has not been revealed but the Fishermen posted a picture of him signing the deal on their Twitter account on Saturday while he was flanked by club chairman Ahmed Saeed Abdullah Dhanhan and secretary general Rashid bin Mohd Aboud.

It is hoped Heo will shore up a defence that shipped 46 goals last season, leaving the Fishermen with the league’s sixth worst record – although they were largely impressive, securing survival in their first season following promotion.

Heo played 10 games for the Knights this year having previously played for Suwon Bluewings, Jeju United and Daegu FC in his homeland. His arrival is a bright spot in an otherwise confusing few weeks for Dibba fans.

After announcing they had extended Theo Bucker’s contract on June 12, the veteran coach was then unveiled as Emirates Club’s new boss 10 days later.

New Hatta Club signing Mahmoud Hassan, meanwhile, has insisted the AGL’s new arrivals will not disappoint on their return to the elite after a nine-year hiatus.

The defender is one of a flurry of new arrivals at the Tornado, who were promoted back to the top flight for the first time since 2007/08 – the final season the league was contested on an amateur basis.

“The team faces a big challenge next season, but I am keen to achieve the aspirations of the club and will fight with the team in order to survive,” said Hassan. “I received some offers and there were negotiations for renewal with Emirates, but I opted to join Hatta and I am sure we will not disappoint the fans.”

Hassan was the second Falcons player swooped on by Hatta after Mohammed Malallah made the surprise move following a campaign in which he scored six goals in 23 appearances – making him the fourth-highest scoring Emirati in the AGL last term.