Playmaker Carlos Villanueva has arrived in Saudi Arabia to complete a free transfer to giants Al Ittihad, bringing a definitive end to a memorable seven-year stay in the Arabian Gulf League.
Villanueva, 30, is assured a spot in Al Shabab history after excelling for them since a $5 million switch from Audax Italiano in his homeland of Chile in 2009.
The summer arrival of new Dutch coach Fred Rutten has seen him exit Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium after a long period of service, interrupted only by a three-month loan spell at Universidad Catolica during 2013.
The 13-times-capped La Roja star was pictured undergoing medical tests and has vowed to give his all in the Saudi Professional League.
He said: “I came here in order to give all I have for the team, and I will work very hard for the fans.
“I know that Ittihad are a great team and I will play with this responsibility in mind. I am happy to be here, and ready to give my best in every game.”
Villanueva was an influential figure both on and off the pitch for Shabab, helping the club lift the 2010/11 Arabian Gulf Cup plus the GCC Club Cup in both 2011 and 2015. The former Blackburn Rovers loanee leaves Dubai after scoring 31 times in 117 top-flight matches.
Meanwhile, reports in Brazil suggest Atletico Mineiro are in a race against time to land Al Jazira attacking midfielder Thiago Neves.
Neves, 31, underwhelmed in the capital after an €11m (Dh45m) move from Al Hilal last summer.
This form has seen him at risk of losing a spot in the club’s four-pla-yer foreign quota.
According to Globoesporte, Mineiro are rushing to conclude a deal to bring him back to Brazil. Galo have instigated talks with the Brazl international’s entourage as they try to complete a switch before the close of the Brazilian international transfer market in early morning UAE time.
Strugglers Emirates Club have bolstered their threadbare squad with the addition of unwanted Al Dhafra midfielder Salim Saeed.
Saeed, 22, failed to score in four AGL matches after a switch from Bani Yas last summer.