Al Wasl have swooped in to snare UAE centre midfielder Khamis Esmail on a three-year contract from Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club in what will be one of the Arabian Gulf League’s standout transfers of the summer market.

Esmail, 28, had grown into a standout figure for club and country during the past few seasons. His exploits at Al Jazira saw him complete a groundbreaking switch to – the now defunct – Al Ahli for approximately Dh60 million in January 2016.

But a combination of injury, indifferent form, instability at newly merged employers and the demands of the freshly introduced salary cap saw him made available for transfer at the end of 2017/18.

The 54-times-capped Whites star had been expected to move to Al Nasr. But he will now don the yellow of their Bur Dubai rivals after Thursday’s shock developments.

“I would like to express my happiness about joining the ranks of Al Wasl because of their historical achievements and large fan base,” said Esmail about joining last term’s third-placed finishers.

“I have huge enthusiasm to represent Al Wasl and to provide my best to achieve the aspirations of the team and fans.

“I wish to perform well and contribute with my colleagues to achieving trophies.”

Esmail is the second UAE international to recently depart Rashid Stadium. Centre-back Mohammed Marzooq agreed to join Nasr last month on a four-year deal.

Wasl previously made underutilised Al Ain striker Yousef Ahmed the first signing of new coach Gustavo Quinteros’ reign.