Sharjah’s new signing Brazilian footballer Rafael Resende poses with the club officials during the unveiling ceremony.

Mohammad Abdullah , Staff Reporter

Sharjah: In quest of a domestic glory, Bani Yas further revamped their squad with the signing of Mohammed Rashid Al Hammadi from Al Wahda on loan for one season.

Meanwhile, Arabian Gulf League champions and Super Cup winners Sharjah also roped in Brazilian footballer Rafael Resende from Fluminense on the last day of the summer transfer market.

Sharjah have already laid down the gauntlet for the new season with a stellar performance in the Super Cup and AGL. Bani Yas have made wholesale changes to their squad by roping in new players, both homegrown talent and foreign imports to assert themselves as top contenders in the UAE across all the tournaments.

The major football tournaments in the UAE’s roster are Arabian Gulf League, Arabian Gulf Cup, President’s Cup and Super Cup. Bani Yas have not won any of the titles of late.

Their new signing Hammadi plays in the UAE Olympic team alongside his Asian participation in the Asian Champions League (ACL) with his club Al Wahda, where  he plays in the centre of left and right wing and spearhead centre.

The 22-year-old completed the signings before the transfer market was closed later in the evening and will join the first team to train under Schaefer.

Earlier, Bani Yas pulled off another major coup by signing Leroy George for one year from the Australian team Melbourne Victory. The Dutch player was chosen as the best player in the Azeri League twice and was also chosen as the best player in the Australian League last season, where he lifted the trophy with his team. Not only have they already signed a few good players but also changed their coach, bringing in Kroneslav Jorcic. Before signing George, Bani Yas roped in mid-fielder Salim Ali Al Hammadi for two years from rival Al Jazira. The midfielder had been with the capital club for four years.  

They had also signed a contract with Ghanaian player Kader Mohamed from the Austrian club Austria Vienna. As a part of revamping their squad to mount serious challenge, they also brought in Colombian Michael Ortega on a one-year contract coming from the Colombian club Deportivo Pasto. Fawaz Awana also returned to Bani Yas from Al Nasr on a two-year deal.

 The 29-year-old who plays in centre midfield participated in 72 games between Baniyas Club and Al Nasr Club in all local competitions. He was previously called to represent the UAE National Team.