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Bare and Argentina’s Delgado unveiled as Al Jazira players

ABU DHABI — A new season, new faces but the goal remains the same—that elusive Pro-League title. Al Jazira officially presented their two new foreign signings at the club on Thursday night.

Unlike the beginning of last season where Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira, last season’s most expensive signing, was revealed to the UAE football fraternity at a glitzy ceremony, Bare and Matias Emilio Delgado’s presentation was minus the bling.

The club have preferred to remain low-profile and let the team do the talking on the pitch.

“We want to raise the standard at the club. We have invested on some very good young local players and foreign players who we think will land us titles this season,” Phil Anderton, CEO of the club, said on Thursday night.

Jazira put their previous expensive signings Rafael Sobis and Ricardo Oliveira, worth Dh 65 million and Dh 85 million respectively on loan to Brazilian clubs.

Jazira have retained the services of Ivorian striker Tony and have brought in Brazilian forward Bare from Al Ahli. Argentine attacking playmaker Matias Emilio Delgado completes their third foreign signing. Delgado comes from Turkish club Besiktas. “I’m very happy to be here. I thank the club for giving me the opportunity. Jazira have some really good players and I have the chance to work with a really big club.

“Jazira, for me, is the best club in the Emirates. They have a great spirit and I want to score many goals and help Jazira win titles. It is a dream come true for me to come and play here,” said Bare, who ironically pipped Jazira to the title, when he led Al Ahli to the crown in 2009.

Delgado, who spent four years with Turkish club Besiktas, said: “I am ready to start a new season at a new club. My objective is to win the League and more trophies for the club.

“I normally play behind the striker or two forwards but I will play where the coach wants me to. This club has a possibility to win and that is an added inspiration for me. That is why I came here.”

Delgado, who started his youth career at River Plate, played in the Swiss Super League with FC Basel. He helped them to titles in the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

He also went onto become the top scorer with seven goals in the UEFA Cup. Delgado, who hails from Rosario, also won the Swiss Footballer of the Year Award.

He joined Turkish club Besiktas in 2006. He was out for the entire 2009-10 season due to a groin injury. “I was out for four months due to the injury. But now, I’m fully fit,” said Delgado, who had a year left on his contract with Besiktas before they reached a settlement. Delgado has a two-year contract with Jazira.

Bare will don the No.9 jersey vacated by Ricardo Oliveira, while Delgado will wear the No.22 shirt. The club also revealed a local signing—Mohammed Marzouq, who moved from Al Shabab.

Al Jazira chairman Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, who was not present, said in a statement: “Al Jazira are determined to win the Pro-League title this season, which we could not achieve in the past few years. We have a group of fine players who will help us in achieving that.”

james@khaleejtimes.com