Bani Yas have put their faith in returning midfielder Amer Abdulrahman by handing the UAE star a new two-year contract extension.

Abdulrahman, who spent a week on trial at English Championship side Blackburn 12 months ago, saw a serious injury restrict him to just three Arabian Gulf League appearances last season.

However, despite interest from several rival club’s the 25-year-old has rewarded Al Samawi for their loyalty and support through his rehabilitation in Europe, by penning a new deal that will keep him in Al Shamkha until 2017.

“Amer Abdulrahman is an outstanding example for the players, whether in the stadium or outside,” said Hashim Osman Al Mohammed, Bani Yas’ director of the Information Office.

“This step taken by him shows his love for the club and for the place that he has grown up, as also the club stand by his side throughout the previous years.”

Al Mohammed added that Bani Yas “would not spare any effort in order to achieve Amer’s hopes and his future plans.”

Meanwhile, Al Wahda have rubbished reports that they are on the verge of signing former Italy striker Amauri from Parma.

Amauri’s representatives met with intermediaries who claimed to be working on behalf of the Abu Dhabi club, with the 34-year-old intimating that he would be open to a move to the UAE.

The Brazil-born forward is waiting for a concrete offer, but when contacted last night Wahda strongly denied that they had any interest in the ex-Juventus man.

One player who could yet have a future at the Al Nahyan Stadium though, is Chilean midfielder Marco Estrada.

The 31-year-old is expected to return to training with the rest of the Wahda squad next Saturday, sitting down with coach Jose Peseiro to discuss his future.

Estrada returned to Chile at the end of February after picking up a knee injury, losing his place in the squad to Morocco midfielder Adil Hermach.

“Until now we will continue with the same players, with Adil. We don’t know what the coach will plan,” Wahda chairman Aref Al Awani said.