Cannavaro seals Al Ahli switch
Reuters - Wednesday 02 June 2010, 12:14
MILAN - Italy's World Cup captain Fabio
Cannavaro will see out the twilight of his career in Dubai after
signing a two-year deal with United Arab Emirates champions Al
Ahli on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old defender, who has won an Italian record of
132 caps but has been short of form this term, will move from
Juventus after the June 11-July 11 World Cup in South Africa.
Chairman Abdullah Al Naboodah told the club's website: "We have signed a contract with 2006 World
Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro for two years.
GEAR: Check out Italy's WC kits
"This deal with a player like Cannavaro is one of the most
important deals for us because he's a player with great
experience and talent. He is also one of the best defenders in
the world."
Cannavaro's previous clubs include Napoli, Parma, Inter
Milan and Real Madrid.
"I was already thinking of moving to Dubai," Cannavaro added
in the statement.
Although his experience will be valued by his new club, as a
player in Serie A this season he has been a shadow of the
centre-back who was the bedrock of Italy's 2006 World Cup
triumph.
Cannavaro returned to Juve for a second spell last year but
he struggled consistently as age caught up with him and the
Turin club, who finished a dismal seventh in Serie A, never
showed any signs of offering him a new deal.
He had wanted to finish his career with brother Paolo at
hometown team Napoli but club president Aurelio De Laurentiis
said he was too old.
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