Centre midfielder Abdullah Al Naqbi spurned greater wages and a bigger transfer fee from Sharjah in order to become Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club’s first Emirati signing.

Al Naqbi, 25, brought an end to the fierce chase surrounding him on Tuesday when he completed a move to Rashid Stadium from Al Dhafra on a four-year contract.

This followed an impressive 2017/18 on loan at Al Wasl, in which his final-day goal at his future employers secured third spot in the Arabian Gulf League and a route of entry to the 2019 AFC Champions League through that competition.

“I thank the management of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club for their confidence in me,” a gleeful Al Naqbi tweeted on Wednesday.

This decision came despite the ambitious King being prepared to lavish more cash on the deal. Their intentions had previously caused Al Nasr to drop out of the race.

But the prospect of playing a key role at a revitalised Shabab Al Ahli proved too alluring. Ex-Al Ittihad coach Jose Luis Sierra is imminently expected to concur on a switch to Dubai, while further funds are available for transfers.

Emerging UAE forward Ahmed Al Attas should soon arrive on a free transfer from Al Jazira.

Shabab Al Ahli finished a distant fifth in their inaugural campaign.