Al Jazira rope in Arsenal Academy graduate Barazite

Dubai - The 28-year-old Dutch-Moroccan joins the Pride of Abu Dhabi on a free transfer

Arabian Gulf League club Al Jazira have completed their foreign quartet with the signing of Nacer Barazite from Turkish side Yeni Malatyaspor.
The 28-year-old Dutch-Moroccan, who can play as an attacking midfielder as well as a striker, joins the 'Pride of Abu Dhabi' on a free transfer. The club did not disclose the length of the contract but Barazite, who came through from the Arsenal Academy and went on to play for Derby County, Austria Wien, AS Monaco and FC Utrecht, among other clubs, becomes their fourth foreigner.
Barazite joins Ernest Asante, Sebastien Siani and loan returnee Leonardo at the two-time League champions.
"Al Jazira Football Company completed the signing of the Dutch midfielder Nacer Barazite, the former player of Arsenal, Monaco and Utrechts. He successfully passed the medical tests and finished all the signings," the clubs said on their official website.
Meanwhile, the managerial fuse has blown after just one round of the Arabian Gulf League with veteran coach Jorvan Vieira being the first casualty. Following promoted Ittihad Kalba's chastening 6-2 defeat at the hands of Arabian Gulf Super Cup champions Al Wahda, the former Bani Yas, Sharjah, Zamalek, Kuwait and Iraq coach was replaced by Italian Fabio Viviani.
But Khalid Al Naqbi, CEO of Ittihad Kalba, reiterated that Vieira was not axed based on the team's loss to Al Wahda but after receiving a report about the pre-season training camp.
"Kalba Football Club Company has contracted with Italian coach Fabio Viviani. It should be noted that the dismissal of the Brazilian coach Vieira was not due to the loss to Al Wahda as we do not evaluate the coach after just one match. The decision was taken after receiving the report of the pre-season camp and we sat with the coach to discuss the pros and cons of the camp," Al Naqbi said.
It was Vieira's second spell in charge of Kalba after overseeing the side get relegated in the 2010-11 season.
james@khaleejtimes.com