Al Nasr’s impressive cornering of the local market has continued after they recruited UAE centre-back Mohammed Marzooq on a four-year deal in the wake of his exit from Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club.

Marzooq, 29, was one of few players to come out with any credit from the merged club’s trying inaugural campaign. He had previously represented the amalgamated Al Shabab in two stints, sandwiched by 2010/11’s brief stay at Al Jazira.

These performances convinced the Blue Wave to take advantage of his uncertain contractual situation and bring him across Dubai.

“Al Nasr formally contracted with the defender Mohammed Marzooq, who is coming from Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club on a four-year contract,” they tweeted. “He will wear the No3 shirt.”

Ivan Jovanovic’s men last week landed emerging UAE forward Mohamed Al Akbari, 22, on a three-year deal from Al Wahda. Reserve left-back Hussain Abbas moved in the opposite direction.

Marzooq was a non-playing member of the Whites squad that finished runners-up during this winter’s Gulf Cup in Kuwait. In March, he started both defeats to Slovakia and Gabon at the King’s Cup in Thailand.

Nasr are yet to make any permanent changes to their foreign quartet. Hatta’s Brazilian forward Samuel Rosa is rumoured to have been teed up.

Jovanovic’s January return inspired a fourth-placed finish in 2017/18.

Meanwhile, runners-up Al Wahda have secured a one-year contract extension with South Korea centre-back Rim Chang-woo.

Rim, 26, has started all 56 AGL matches since his January 2016 arrival from Ulsan Hyundai.