Yahya Al Ghassani’s stellar impact at Al Wahda has been rewarded with a bumper contract extension until 2023, less than two months since his recruitment courtesy of game-changing new eligibility rules.

Al Ghassani, 20, has been a standout member of the group allowed to feature in the Arabian Gulf League during 2018/19 after November’s decision by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan that children of Emirati women born to foreign fathers will be able to compete in official UAE competitions for the first time.

The electric forward – who boasts a lineage from Tanzania – came off the substitutes’ bench to score on his top-flight debut in last month’s 6-2 thrashing of promoted Ittihad Kalba. Such exciting ability saw the Clarets announce fresh terms on Saturday.

“The management of Al Wahda extends the contract of the young player Yahya Al Ghassani for five years to support the team,” they tweeted. “We wish him the best of luck.”

Al Ghassani’s electric skills were honed in the academy of the defunct Al Ahli – now known as Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club. But old eligibility legislation meant for him to play for them, he would have taken up a valuable slot in the foreign quartet.

The attacker also explored a move to Europe last summer, prior to linking up with 2017/18’s AGL runners-up.

Al Ghassani is now expected to be fast-tracked into the UAE Under-23 set-up.