Charlie Appleby and William Buick team up to win the prestigious English Classic for the second time in three years following Coroebus in 2022
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Emmanuel Emenike is eagerly looking forward to pairing up with Omar Abdulrahman and bring more silverware to Al Ain.
And the Nigerian international has one season to prove his worth at 'The Boss' after being unveiled at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. The 28-year-old striker, who replaced Asamoah Gyan, joins on a season-long loan from Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce.
Al Ain have the option of buying him after the loan spell.
"I watched a few of the games of Al Ain from last season and what impressed me most was Omar Abdulrahman," said Emenike, who will wear the No.9 jersey vacated by Jires Kembo-Ekoko.
"He is a top player and a wonderful playmaker. He is obviously a top quality player and one of the stand-outs of Al Ain. He made a lot of assists and worked really well with Gyan. I can't wait to get on to the pitch with him and work together and help Al Ain," he added.
Emenike has some huge boots to fill, that of Gyan, but the former Spartak Moscow frontman was undaunted by the task. He preferred to view it as a team effort rather than just about an individual.
"Gyan is a great player who achieved a lot with this club. I would like to emulate what he did here. I will work hard towards that and give my best to achieve the club's goals and targets. But football is not just about one individual or a few individuals. It is a team game and it requires team work. We will work together," Emenike said.
Emenike joins Dutch winger Ryan Babel, Brazilian midfielder Fellipe Bastos and the retained Lee Myung Joo at what Al Ain have termed - the 'Fantastic Four.'
Emenike, capped 35 times by Nigeria, was itching to make the season count, after a lean season last time out with Fenerbahce. Emenike scored just four goals and had four assists in 27 games.
"I'm obviously pleased to join a top club like Al Ain. I am aware of the pressure and responsibility that comes with playing for Al Ain. They are looking at winning silverware on all fronts and I hope I can be a big contributor to that. I hope that we can win championships in the coming season," he said.
Meanwhile, the future of Jires Kembo-Ekoko, who is being off-loaded by the club, still remains uncertain.
Al Ain board member Mohammed bin Bdoua revealed though that they had received offers from a few clubs and are looking at it along with Ekoko.
"Ekoko is still under contract with Al Ain and has one year remaining. We have received offers from clubs who have expressed an interest in signing Ekoko. We are currently studying these offers in consultation with Ekoko," said Mohammed bin Bdoua.
james@khaleejtimes.com
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