Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: When AFC Champions League action resumes in a little over two weeks’ time, one man will be looking to achieve what no other player has done before: complete an AFC Champions League-UEFA Champions League double.
Having won an incredible four UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona as part of what was arguably the greatest club side to ever play the game, Spanish midfielder Xavi Hernandez was a huge coup for Al Sadd when he joined in 2015.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/seydou_keita_2.html
www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/paulinho_strike_against_kashiwa_reysol.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/coach.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal have confirmed signing Emirati livewire Omar Abdulrahman on a one-year loan deal from Al Ain.
The 26-year-old has spent his entire professional senior career with Al Ain, marking this as his first move out of the United Arab Emirates.
With Al Ain since 2008, the 2016 AFC Player of the Year has a cabinet filled with trophies playing for The Boss, which includes multiple individual honours, four UAE Pro League titles, a UAE League Cup in 2009, three UAE Super Cup and three UAE President's Cup.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Japanese star Keisuke Honda has signed for reigning A-League champions Melbourne Victory with the former AC Milan striker calling it the best club in Australia.
Honda, who retired from international football after Japan's heartbreaking 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia exit in a last-gasp defeat to Belgium, put pen to paper for the 2018/19 season.
"It goes without saying that Keisuke has consistently proven himself at the highest level and we can't wait to see what he can do in Melbourne," said Victory head coach Kevin Muscat.
The talismanic 32-year-old, one of the highest profile names in Asian football, had been a free agent since departing Mexican club Pachuca.
"I am so happy to join the Melbourne Victory. I knew they were interested in me one week after the World Cup," he told Fox Sports.
"I really like a new challenge, that's me. I checked a couple of things. Melbourne Victory is the most successful club in the A-League. That's amazing. They became champs many times," he added.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As we mark 10 years since the historic revamp of the AFC Champions League in 2009, we celebrate five of the greatest number 10s in the competition's history.
Since its inception in 2002, the AFC Champions League has delivered endless moments of magic. Some of the biggest names in Asian football introduced themselves to the continent through this competition, and amongst them were some mesmerising talents who left a lasting legacy through their playmaking and scoring talents.
From multiple-time winners to record breaking scorers, we celebrate five players who added to the glamour and mystique of the number 10 shirt in the AFC Champions League.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Guangzhou: Barcelona have loaned midfielder Paulinho, a starter in the Brazil side knocked out by Belgium in the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals in Russia, to former club Guangzhou Evergrande, the Chinese Super League champions have announced.
"Guangzhou Evergrande confirm Paulinho has returned to the club after one season at Barcelona," the club tweeted.
Paulinho, who is 29, first joined Guangzhou from Tottenham Hotspur in 2015, playing 84 matches and scoring 22 goals before leaving for Barcelona in 2017.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Al Sadd’s new signing Gabi Fernandez has spoken of his delight at joining the Wolves, after sealing his move from Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish star signed a two-year-contract with the club on Monday evening and will now join his countryman Xavi in the Al Sadd midfield.
Speaking after signing the contract, Gabi said: “I took the decision to play in Qatar after deep thought, especially as I spent many years playing in Spain. I now look forward to this new experience at a new club, which I’m sure will be a great one.
“I have seen the sights of Doha and I also observed the preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including the great facilities at the Khalifa International Stadium. I am convinced that Qatar will host a successful World Cup in 2022.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Two years ago today Paulinho joined Guangzhou Evergrande from Tottenham Hotspur before going on to make an immediate impact in helping his new side lift the 2015 AFC Champions League title.
With the move proving an unequivocal success for both parties, the-AFC.com looks back on five summer transfers who fitted seamlessly into their new team to help their quest for continental glory.
Paulinho
Tottenham Hotspur to Guangzhou Evergrande, June 2015