Forward Caio Canedo “would have signed for 10 years” if offered such a contract by Al Wasl this summer because of the strength of his bond with their fans.

Caio, 25, turned his one-season loan move – which featured 16 goals in 22 Arabian Gulf League appearances – from Internacional into a permanent five-year deal in July.

Speaking after the Cheetahs fell to a disappointing 2-0 Bur Dubai derby defeat to Al Nasr on Monday, the Zabeel Stadium-favourite revealed the warm feeling is mutual.

He said: “I love to be a permanent player here. The fans always showed their support.

“For me, I signed five years but I would have signed for 10 years. The love they have given me is important – I am very happy to wear this Wasl shirt.”

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Caio has endured a disrupted start to 2015/16. A delay in gaining the Timor-Leste passport required to fill the Asian-player slot in the four-man foreign quota meant the loss at neighbouring Al Maktoum Stadium was the Brazilian’s first competitive game of the season.

“It felt good [to play],” he said. “I would trade everything for a win, but fortune didn’t come.

“I go with my head up, as I gave my best. The fans can be sure we will do great things this year.”

Wasl next play Bani Yas on October 9 in the Arabian Gulf Cup.