Sharjah remain in the market for two players to fill their foreign quota as the club announce the signing of two Emiratis ahead of the new Arabian Gulf League season.

The King were disappointing as they finished third-bottom last season, a far cry from their seventh-placed finish a year earlier in their first season back in the UAE top flight.

Head coach Paulo Bonamigo is set to retain the services of Brazilian duo, defender Mauricio Ramos and last season’s 17-goal striker Wanderley but wants to new faces in ahead of the new campaign.

The club has been in talks with Athletico Mineiro attacking midfielder Maicosuel Reginaldo, although no deal has been concluded.

Media officer Adel Al Hammadi said: “We have targets. There are new names all the time and we are very close to making signings. Negotiations are ongoing for two foreign players.”

He did confirm that Sharjah have signed central midfielder Waleed Ahmed from relegated Ajman, as well as Emirates Club left-back Hamdan Qasem.

“They joined the team for training on Wednesday and will train up until Eid, before the club goes for pre-season camp,” added Al Hammadi.

Al Shabab, meanwhile, will give youngsters a chance during their own pre-season preparations, having already settled on their foreign quota for the new season.

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Former Manchester City striker Jo was signed on Tuesday, joining Azizbek Haydarov, Carlos Villanueva and Henrique Luvannor. 

Team manager Obaid Madani said midfielders Jasim Johar and Majid Mohammed, as well as striker Mohamed Juma and defender Adil Sabeel, will join the first team for pre-season training and that the club are still in the market for UAE nationals.

“Jo was our main transfer and all our foreign business has been done, but we are looking for local players,” said Madani.

“We want a left back and we also want a striker to act as back-up as it is a long and tough season. We are looking around for players, but they are not willing to leave their clubs and we are also targeting clubs in Division 1.

“At the pre-season camp a few teenagers will be given the chance to train with the first team. They are good, talented players, all 17 or 18, and it will be a good chance for them to experience life in the first team and camp will introduce them to life as first team players.”