I promise good football and titles for Al Wahda, says Denilson

Abu Dhabi - The Brazilian playmaker began with a "Salaam Alaikum" after being officially unveiled as an Al Wahda player.

It has been eight days since he touched down in the Capital and Denilson seems to have settled in well in the UAE.
The Brazilian playmaker began with a "Salaam Alaikum" after being officially unveiled as an Al Wahda player and he reiterated that he intends to have a long and fruitful stay beyond the three years at the Al Nahyan Stadium.
The former Arsenal man signed a three-year contract with The Clarets and joins from Brazilian club Sao Paulo.
And in what is a first in UAE football, Al Wahda officially disclosed the fee paid for the 27-year-old. The club paid Brazilian side Sao Paulo ?3 million with Denilson set to get ?1.8 million for three years, the club had said in a statement 10 days ago.
"I have come here not to play for one or two years but as long as I can because I like it here. I know that UAE football is growing year by year and thanks to my agent, I'm here now," Denilson said on Sunday.
Denilson, who began his career at Sao Paulo, moved to English Premiership side Arsenal. He spent five seasons with the Gunners where he made 96 appearances.
He revealed that he was impressed with the Al Wahda project and decided to come on board. "I signed for Al Wahda because I like the project the club came up with. My agent also told me about the club. It is one of the top clubs in the UAE with some good players. That's the reason I joined Al Wahda," said Denilson, who will don the No.15 jersey which he has worn throughout his career.
The jersey was handed to him by Emirati player Badr Al Harthi, who previously wore that number. Denilson replaces Moroccan international Adil Hermach.
"I went and checked a few clips on Youtube about the club as well as the Arabian Gulf League. I like the kind of football they play here and it was to my liking. That's the way I love to play," he added.
He has been here a little more than a week and Denilson has been impressed by Emirati stalwarts Ismail Matar, Mohammed Al Shehhi and Hamdan Al Kamali.
"I have not yet done full training, just rehabilitation. I'm just getting to know the players and how it works here. But of what I've seen, we are a strong group. So far I've noticed Hamdan Ali Kamali, Ismail Matar, Mohammed Al Shehhi are good players," said Denilson.
Al Wahda finished fourth in the Arabian Gulf League last season. The four-time League champions are going through a drought of sorts, so to speak. One of the storied clubs with a massive fan following, Al Wahda's last piece of silverware was in 2011 when they won the Super Cup. Their last League title came in the 2009-10 season.
And Denilson vowed that he will end Al Wahda's trophy drought and bring cheer to the fans.
"I'm hoping to win titles with the team. I promise the fans I will give my best and everything. My contract is for three years and I promise good football and titles for the club," said Denilson.
Al Wahda have brought a new coach in Mexican Javier Aguirre, who has previously coached Atletico Madrid, Espanyol, Osasuna and Zaragoza in the La Liga as well as Atlante and Pachuca in his native Mexico as well as two stints with Mexico and a brief spell in the Far East with Japan.
Denilson, who played against Aguirre when at Arsenal, was looking forward to working with the Mexican. "I know the coach when I played for Arsenal. I played against him when he was coach of Atletico Madrid. He is a great coach. Definitely, he will show his class and help us win titles," he said.
james@khaleejtimes.com