New signing Edgar Bruno is convinced Al Wasl have what it takes to punch above their weight and match the extraordinary achievements of former club Al Shabab.

Edgar, 28, enjoyed a competitive debut to savour last Friday as the Cheetahs stunned title contenders Al Jazira in the opening round of the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League with a 2-1 victory in the capital.

Such results were the hallmarks of Shabab during the powerful striker’s three seasons with them. 

This was never more the case than last term, the modestly-resourced Hawks lifting the GCC Club Cup, finishing an excellent third in the top flight and reaching the semi-finals of the President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup.

“Last season I was in Al Shabab and we were in the first four positions of every competition we entered,” Edgar said. “I came here to Al Wasl to try and give my best. 

“I want to stay in the top four in the league and cups here, in all the tournaments we play. We know we will not win all the games, it is a difficult league. But if we can win at Al Jazira, we can win anywhere.

“I have good friends at Wasl, they helped me a lot as I came from another club but they know me as I was at Al Shabab for three years.”

Wasl have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in fortunes since coach Gabriel Calderon’s uplifting October 2014 arrival.

He took over a chaotic club languishing near the foot of the standings, guiding them to a tremendous sixth-placed finish.

Edgar, who signed a two-year deal at Zabeel Stadium last month, was full of praise for the former Argentina midfielder’s  approach and his methodical planning.

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“Calderon is a good coach,” said the former Porto target man. “We know from last term, he did a good job and the club made an excellent decision to continue with him.

“The players know how he wants to play. I came here just to help.”

Edgar notched 37 goals in 70 top-flight appearances for the Hawks, although a lean spell in the previous campaign of just eight strikes in 25 games forced his replacement by Brazil 2014 World Cup striker Jo.

He declared the fortunes of his new club would take priority over rediscovering his scoring touch in 2015/16.

Edgar said: “For me, Wasl is a new challenge. It is a new club and new life. Firstly, my target is to win games for the team. If I score, this is good as it is my job.”

The centre forward could make his home bow on Friday when Wasl kick off their AG Cup, Group A campaign against the newly-promoted Al Shaab.