Al Wahda's highly-rated youngster Hamid Al Kamali could become the first Emirati footballer to play in the UEFA Champions League after completing a one-year loan move to Maltese champions Valletta FC.

Al Kamali is the younger brother of UAE defender Hamdan and has made 18 career appearances for Al Wahda.

However, this season the 21-year-old defender will be plying his trade in Europe following the surprise loan switch.

And Al Kamali could become the first player from the UAE to play in Europe's premier club competition, with Valletta set to participate in the second qualifying round of the Champions League following last season's league triumph – the 22nd in their history.

Playing football in Europe is not an entirely new prospect for the Al Kamali family as Hamdan spent six months on loan at Ligue 1 club Lyon in 2012, although he never made a first-team appearance. 

Indeed, other UAE stars have experienced a tate of European football, with Bani Yas midfielder Amer Abdulrahman enoying a trial at English club Blackburn Rovers last summer, while namesake Omar Abdulrahman impressed on trial at Premier League champions Manchester City following the 2012 London Olympic Games.