Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ahli have announced the signing of UAE international midfielder Habib Fardan on a four-year contract.

The 23-year-old is currently away with the national team and played in Mahdi Ali's side's 0-0 draw against Norway earlier this week.

As reported by Sport360 last week, Ahli beat competition from AGL rivals Al Jazira and Al Ain to Fardan's signature in what is believed to be a record fee for an Emirati footballer.

The deall will see Al Ahli defender Esam Dhahi move the other way in part-exchange.

Fardan has only one year remaining on his contract at the Al-Maktoum Stadium, meaning he would have been able to agree a free-transfer move from January.

Nasr had been confident of keeping the player as late as last week, but have decided to cash in with Fardan making it clear he would not sign an extension with the Blue Wave.

Al Ahli made the annoucnement via the club's official Twitter account.