The Brazilian, grouped with captain Ibrahim Diaky, Abdulla Mousa and compatriot Ricardo Oliveira, shared a couple of lighter moments as they went about training.

It was also a chance for him to link up with old friend Oliveira with whom he played alongside at Brazilian club Sao Paulo. And Al Jazira will be hoping the duo, along with the rest of the team, will fire them to titles this coming season.

Fernando Luiz Pereira da Silva, better known as Fernandinho, was officially unveiled by the club. Fernandinho joins from Sao Paulo. He signed a three-year contract with the club and will don the No.12 jersey.

The 26-year-old revealed that friend Oliveira had given him an idea about football in the UAE and that convinced him to come here.

“I’m happy to play with a big club in Asia. Al Jazira are a well-known club even in Brazil. The possibilities are good and I want to show my potential during the season. Oliveira gave me some idea about football in the UAE. I was in contact with him. And I also saw things in the press. Football is tough here. It is not easy at all. But I’m completely prepared for it and will try to take Al Jazira to a higher level,” said Fernandinho.

Fernandinho said that the move to Al Jazira materialised a couple of months ago when his agent and lawyer paid a visit.

“The possibility to come to Al Jazira happened a few months ago. My lawyer and agent visited the club and they spoke and negotiated with the club. I’m happy that everything worked out well. Like I said earlier, Al Jazira are a great team and I have a lot of responsibilities. They have won silverware before and I want to help the club win more titles,” he said.

Fernandinho is hoping he can form a strong partnership with Oliveira and set about winning titles for Al Jazira on all four fronts—the Etisalat UAE Pro-League, Etisalat Cup, the President’s Cup and the AFC Champions League.

“Oliveira and I played together many years in Brazil and I know him very well. Despite his problems, he has overcome them and come back stronger. He can help Al Jazira and I have joined him now. And hopefully, I can help Al Jazira too,” Fernandinho said.

The duo played together in 2010 when Oliveira’s first spell didn’t go well with Al Jazira and he was loaned to Sao Paulo.

Fernandinho revealed that it was not his first time in Asia as he had spent a few months in Korea.

“I spent a few months in Korea but the experience to come to the UAE was pefect. It is a good moment in my career and I can contribute to Al Jazira. I know my responsibilities here and I will try my best to contribute to Al Jazira,” he said.

james@khaleejtimes.com