Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With a frantic transfer season now underway, keep up to date with all the latest comings and goings across Asia here at the-afc.com.
July 22
Brazilian striker Edu has returned to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors ahead of their AFC Champions League quarter-final meeting with Shanghai SIPG, the club announced. With a resume that includes stints at Mainz, Schalke and Besiktas, the 34-year-old returns to the club after a stint with Hebei China Fortune, where he moved in July 2015. Edu played 20 times for Jeonbuk in his previous tenure, scoring 11 goals.
July 21
2016 AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Al Nasr have signed Brazilian striker Wanderley (pictured), the club announced on their official website. The 27-year- old joins from Sharjah, where he has scored 31 goals in 46 matches over the last two seasons. Wandereley, who has previously played with some of Brazil’s biggest clubs including Cruzeiro and Flamengo, follows 27-year- old winger Fawaz Awana, who has also joined the club this week ahead of the quarter-final clash with Qatar’s El Jaish, which begins on August 24.
Fellow Emirati club Baniyas have signed a Brazilian of their own, with Felipe Bastos joining the club. The 26-year- old midfielder, formerly of PSV, Benfica and Vasco da Gama, joins the Abu Dhabi-based club from 2016 AFC Champions League quarter-finalist Al Ain. The signing of Bastos means Baniyas have now filled their quota of foreign signings ahead of the 2016-17 UAE Pro League season.
Former Benfica and Brazilian U-20 striker Alan Kardec has joined Chinese Super League Chongqing Lifan, the club announced on its official website. The 27-year- old joins the club after fruitful spells at Palmeiras and Sao Paulo. The deal was done in the final moments before the Chinese transfer window officially closed on July 15, but a technical difficulty saw the club delay the official announcement.
Australian international winger Bernie Ibini has returned to his former club Sydney FC on a year-long loan, the club announced on its official website. 23-year- old Ibini left to Sydney to join Belgium’s Club Brugge at the end of the 2014-15 season but a serious leg injury prevented him from playing a single match as the club went on to win the Belgian Pro League. Ibini has two caps for Australia after making his debut United Arab Emirates in October 2014.
El Jaish’s Brazilian midfielder Wagner Ribeiro has joined Al Arabi on loan, his new club announced on social media. The 28-year-old makes the switch between the two Qatari clubs after 64 matches and 24 goals at 2016 AFC Champions League quarter-finalists El Jaish. Wagner Ribeiro has been playing in the Qatar Stars League since joining Al Ahli in 2009.
July 20
Adelaide United’s Australia U23 international Stefan Mauk has signed with Dutch club NEC Nijmegen, the club has revealed. 20-year-old Mauk makes his first foray into European football after joining NEC for an undisclosed fee. Mauk only joined Adelaide United from Melbourne City in January, but a series of outstanding performances saw him nominated for Australia’s Young Footballer of the Year award – and called-up to the national team squad - as he won the A-League’s Premiership and Championship double.
July 19
Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia have signed Paraguayan international midfielder Victor Ayala on a two-year deal, the club has revealed. The 28-year-old has extensive experience in South American football with Libertad in Paraguay and Argentina’s Lanus, where he won the Copa Sudamericana in 2013. Ayala has 18 caps for Paraguay, and scored against Colombia in the group stage of last month’s Copa America Centenario tournament in the United States.
27-year-old Brazilian midfielder and full-back Wanderson has joined Jeju United on loan, the club announced on its official website. Wanderson played for Daejon Citizen – who were ultimately relegated - in the K League Classic last season, and joins a Jeju United team sitting sixth on the table.
Former Australia international Neil Kilkenny has returned to his homeland to join Melbourne City on a two-year deal, the club revealed on its official website. A product of Arsenal’s youth academy, the 30-year-old Kilkenny has extensive experience in the top three tiers of English football, having played for clubs such as Birmingham City, Leeds United, and Preston North End. He has appeared 14 times for the Australia national team, and came on as a substitute in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final.
Qatar Stars League club Lekhwiya SC have completed the signing of Moroccan international Youssef Al Arabi on a three-year deal. Al Arabi joins the club from Spanish top-flight club Granada, where he appeared 130 times in four seasons. The move sees the 29-year-old forward return to Asian football – he spent a season with Saudi giants Al Hilal in the 2011-12 season, scoring 16 goals in all competitions. Al Arabi has been capped 36 times by Morocco, and has 15 international goals to his name.
Jumpei Kusukami is the latest player to sign with Western Sydney Wanderers ahead of the new A-League season, the club announced. Kusukami, a 28-year-old Japanese midfielder, has previous experience with Kawasaki Frontale, Cerezo Osaka and Sagan Tosu, and follows in the footsteps of Shinji Ono, Yojiro Takahagi and Yusuke Tanaka as Japanese players to sign with the Wanderers. Western Sydney will appear in the 2017 AFC Champions League after finishing second last season.
July 17
Two-time Asian Champions Al Hilal have secured the services of Brazilian forward Leo Bonatini, the club announced. 22-year-old Bonatini joins from Estoril in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, where he scored 20 goals in 37 matches last season. Bonatini is the latest of Al Hilal’s recruits under new Uruguayan boss Gustavo Matosas.
Venezuelan international Gelmin Rivas has made the switch from from Saudi to Emirati football, joining Sharjah from Al-Ittihad, the club confirmed. Rivas, 27, joins the club on a three-year deal after scoring 19 times in 25 matches last season. The striker scored four times in the 2016 AFC Champions before Al Ittihad were eliminated in the Group Stage.
July 16
United Arab Emirates top-flight side Al Jazira have announced the signing of midfield duo Salem Abdulla and Humaid Ahmed from Al Wasl and the relegated Fujairah respectively. Two-time former-coach Jan Versleijen has also joined the club as an assistant.
Former Newcastle United, Racing Santander and Deportivo forward Xisco has joined Thailand’s Muangthong United, the club has announced through its official social media channels. The 30-year-old striker joins from Cordoba in Spain’s Segunda Division, where he scored 18 goals in 42 matches. Muangthong are sitting on top of the Thai Premier League, one point ahead of Bangkok United.
July 15
Two-time AFC Champions League winners Al Ittihad have secured the signature of Egyptian international Kahraba from Zamalek on a one-year loan deal, the club confirmed. The 22-year-old attacker has already been capped ten times by Egypt, and joints the Jeddah-based club fresh from scoring 14 goals in 30 matches for Zamalek since joining last year. Al-Ittihad qualified for the 2017 AFC Champions League by finishing third in last season’s Saudi Professional League.
2015 Chinese Super League top scorer Aloisio has joined Hebei China Fortune on the final day of the Chinese transfer window. The 28-year-old Brazilian, who scored 22 goals in 28 league matches last season, was deemed surplus to requirements at Shandong Luneng after the arrivals of Graziano Pelle and Papiss Cisse. Hebei China Fortune – in their first season in the top-flight – are sitting in fourth position and challenging for a place in the 2017 AFC Champions League.
Another deadline day move in China has seen Jiangsu Suning’s Sammir join Hangzhou Greentown on loan. Sammir, a Brazilian-born Croatian international, joins a Hangzhou squad battling relegation and fills the foreign player spot left vacant by Tim Cahill, who departed last week. Sammir played 49 times for Jiangsu Suning, most memorably scoring the decisive extra-time goal in the 2015 Chinese FA Cup Final win against Shanghai Shenhua.
July 14
Hong Jeong-ho has become the latest international star to join Jiangsu Suning.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr have secured the services of Albanian international Alban Meha on a two-year deal. Al-Nassr, who confirmed the move on their official Twitter page, signed the 30-year-old from Konyaspor, who finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last season. Meha has seven caps for Albania, but was not part of their recent UEFA Euro 2016 squad.
23-year-old Brazilian playmaker Ronaldo Mendes has joined UAE Arabian Gulf League side Al Wasl on a five-year deal, the club confirmed on social media. Ronaldo joins from Santos, where he was part of the team that became Sao Paulo state champions by winning the 2016 Campeonato Paulista.
Western Sydney Wanderers have announced the signing of Australian international defender Robert Cornthwaite on their official website. Cornthwaite, who has eight caps for Australia, joins the 2014 AFC Champions League winners on a two-year deal from Selangor where he won the 2015 Malaysia Cup. The 30-year-old’s career began at Adelaide United where he played in both legs of the 2008 AFC Champions League final, and continued with four seasons at Jeonnam Dragons in the K League from 2011 to 2014.
Gangwon FC has announced that one of Ulsan Hyundai’s 2012 AFC Champions League winning team Maranhao has returned to Korean football. The 32-year-old Brazilian striker has previously also previously played in Korea with Jeju United, in addition to stints in Japan, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Maranhao came on as a substitute when Ulsan beat Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli to claim their only AFC Champions League crown.
Another AFC Champions League winner is on the move, with former Western Sydney Wanderers winger Kwabena Appiah returning to Central Coast Mariners, the club revealed on its official website. Appiah – a Central Coast youth product - won the continental title with the Wanderers in 2014, as well as the 2012-13 A-League Premiership. His most recent club was the A-League’s Wellington Phoenix, where Appiah made 16 league appearances last season.
July 13
Struggling K League Classic club Suwon Samsung Bluewings have signed former Dutch international winger Romeo Castelen, the club has announced. Castelen appeared ten times for the Netherlands between 2004 and 2007 and joins from Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers where he spent two seasons, appearing 44 times. Castelen will be remembered most fondly by Wanderers fans for his outstanding hat-trick when his team came from 3-0 down to win the A-League semi-final 5-4 in 2015-16.
China’s Jiangsu Suning have added another import to their squad, with Colombian forward Roger Martinez joining from Racing Club, the Argentine team revealed. 22-year-old Martinez has four caps for Colombia, scoring once, and was part of their squad at the recent Copa America Centenario tournament in the United States.
28-year-old Saudi Arabia forward Mukhtar Fallatah has returned to the place his career started by signing with Al Wehda, the Mecca-based club has announced. Fallatah joins from Al Ittihad where he scored 33 times in 69 matches and won the Saudi Champions Cup in 2013. Fallatah started his professional career for Al Wehda, and appeared for the club over thirty times before moving to Al Shabab five years ago.
July 12
Australia international Josh Brillante will return to the A-League with Sydney FC after two years in Italian football, the club announced. Brillante, a midfielder or full-back, was snapped up by Serie A Fiorentina in 2014, but fell out of favour and was sent on loan, first to Empoli, then to Serie B’s Como. 23-yeaar-old Brillante has five caps for Australia, and was the FFA U-20 Male Player of the Year in 2013 - a year when his performances caught the eye at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
2015-16 Hong Kong Premier League Champions Eastern AA have bolstered their squad further by signing Mikel Arruabarena from La Liga club SD Eibar. Arruabarena appeared over 170 times for Eibar, scoring 44 goals. However, his most recent appearances have come for second-tier Huesca, where he spent five months on loan in 2016.
Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Rafinha is returning to his homeland to play for Cruzeiro, the club revealed on its social media channels. Rafinha played 95 times for the Riyadh-based club, scoring 19 goals and winning the King Cup of Champions and Saudi Super Cup in 2014.
Veteran New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz has signed with Malaysia’s Kedah, the club officially revealed. Smeltz joins from Sydney FC in Australia’s A-League, where he also played for Wellington Phoenix, Gold Coast United and Perth Glory. His 89 A-League goals put him second on the list of all-time league top scorers. 34-year-old Smeltz is a seasoned international goalscorer, with 24 international goals in 51 appearances for New Zealand, including a famous goal against Italy at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Korea Republic’s Gyeongnam FC have signed Serbian midfielder Ivan Markovic, the club announced on their official website. 22-year-old Markovic joins from Bulgaria’s PFC Cherno More, where he played briefly after spells with Greece Superleague club Ledaviakos and CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria.
Malaysia Super League club Kelantan have bolstered their squad by signing the former Senegal international Morgaro Gomis. The French-born midfielder arrives in Southeast Asia after over a decade in British football which included spells at Dundee United, Birmingham City, Hearts and Motherwell. Gomis, 30, joins a Kelantan side sitting ninth on the Malaysia Super League table.
Melbourne Victory has officially announced the signing of Spanish defender Alan Baro. The 31-year-old – who replaces retiring Frenchman Matthieu Delpierre – joins the 2014-15 Australian champions from Spain’s SD Ponferradina, where he was club captain. Baro spent five seasons with the recently relegated club, appearing over 160 times.
A-League champions Adelaide United have signed former Australian U-17 and U-20 international Jesse Makarounas on a one-year deal, the club announced on its official website. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder joins from rivals Melbourne Victory where he was released in May after playing 54 matches - winning the 2014-15 A-League premiership and 2015 FFA Cup. He also featured in the 2016 AFC Champions League Group Stage, where he scored against Shanghai SIPG.
K League Challenge club Seoul E-Land FC have confirmed the arrival of defender Ko Kyung-joon. The 29-year-old joins from the J2 League’s Tokyo Verdy, where he appeared in just six league matches.
July 9
Senegal international striker Papiss Cisse has left Newcastle United to sign for Chinese Super League outfit Shandong Luneng, it has been confirmed. The 31-year-old forward joins AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Shandong – currently coached by former Bayern Munich boss Felix Magath - for an undisclosed fee following a four-and-a-half year spell at St James' Park.
New Shenzen FC boss Clarence Seedorf has wasted no time in adding to his squad, signing three new players. 25-year-old Jamaican international forward Deshorn Brown has joined from Valerenga in Norway, and he will be joined by ex-Henan Jianye defender Qiao Wei, 28, and Wang Chengkuai. A 21-year-old attacking midfielder, Wang Chengkuai was the first Chinese player to sign with Dutch giants Ajax, but he joins the club after a spell in Portuguese football with Gondomar.
Shenzen’s former Senegalese striker Andre Senghor has made an immediate impact for Nei Mongol Zhongyou, scoring on debut against Shanghai Shenxin after the completion of his move to the club. Senghor, 30, is a former golden boot winner in the UAE Pro League, where he scored 18 goals for Baniyas in the 2010-11 season.
Shanghai Shenhua’s Zambian international defender Stoppila Sunzu has completed a move to Lille OSC, the French Ligue 1 club announced. The 27-year-old, who won the African Cup of Nations in 2012, was loaned to the club a year ago but has now joined the club on a permanent basis.
24-year-old defender Jacob Pepper has joined Brisbane Roar, the club confirmed on its official website. Pepper, a former Australian U23 international, joins from 2015-16 A-League runners-up Western Sydney Wanderers, who released pepper from his contract last month.
COACH UPDATE: Brazilian coach Sergio Farias has left Indian Super League outfit NorthEast United to rejoin Thai Premier League side Suphanburi who he was with in 2015. Farias famously guided Pohang Steelers to AFC Champions League glory in 2009.
July 8
Australia international goalkeeper Brad Jones has joined Dutch giants Feyenoord on a one-year deal.
Veteran defender Kwak Tae-hwi has joined AFC Champions League quarter-finalists FC Seoul, it has been announced. The 35-year-old Korea Republic international arrives at the club that launched his career from Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal where he has plied his trade since 2013.
"Because our defense is not stable, we needed an experienced player who also has leadership. I think Kwak will help our team in those areas." - FC Seoul head coach Hwang Sung-hong
COACH UPDATE: Legendary former Netherlands international Clarence Seedorf has been named as the new head coach of Chinese second-tier side Shenzen FC. Seedorf, who has not had a coaching role since leaving AC Milan in June 2014 after five months in charge, arrives in China with Shenzen currently occupying seventh place in the China League One standings. They trail table-topping Qingdao Huanghai by seven points.
July 7
Chinese Super League club **Beijing Guoan has signed Uzbekistan striker Igor Sergeev **on loan from Pakhtakor, official sources have confirmed.
Nigeria international striker Anthony Ujah has joined Chinese Super League side Liaoning FC from Werder Bremen. Ujah joined Bremen from Cologne in May 2015 and scored 14 goals in 35 games. Liaoning are currently 11th in the CSL standings.
Iraq international Abdul-Qadir Tariq has joined Iraqi Premier League outfit Al Shorta.
Morocco international midfielder Abdelaziz Barrada has signed for United Arab Emirates side Al Nasr ahead of a new domestic season and the club’s AFC Champions League quarter-final campaign.
July 6
COACH UPDATE: Iran legend Ali Daei has been named as the new head coach of Naft Tehran, it has been announced. Daei, the most prolific striker in the history of international football, has penned a one-year deal with Naft and succeeds Alireza Mansourian who has left the club to take charge of Esteghlal.
COACH UPDATE: AFC Cup quarter-finalists Bengaluru FC have appointed Albert Roca as their new head coach, it has been announced. The 53-year-old Spaniard joins the I-League side on a two-year deal following the recent departure of Ashley Westwood.
Ventforet Kofu have confirmed a return to Japanese top-flight football for Brazilian striker Dudu. 26-year-old Dudu, who had a loan spell in Japan with Kashiwa Reysol in 2014, joins the club from Figueirense where he scored six times in 20 matches. Ventforet have struggled so far this season, winning just three of 18 J. League matches, and they finished the first stage of the league season in 17th place.
July 5
UAE top-flight side Ittihad Kalba have completed their foreign quota with the additions of Spanish playmaker Carmelo Gonzalez and Iraq veteran Salam Shaker. The double deals for Suphanburi’s Gonzalez, 32, and Al Fateh’s Shaker, 29, come after the newly promoted Tigers had added their squad with the acquisition of Burkina Faso striker Yahia Kebe.
July 4
Lokomotiv have bolstered their AFC Champions League hopes by signing dynamic forward Artur Gevorkyan from Uzbek rivals Nasaf. Turkmenistan international Gevorkyan, who wore the captain’s armband at Nasaf, joins Lokomotiv ahead of their last eight continental showdown with Al Ain, and his capture will be seen as a major coup for the Tashkent outfit.
Thai Premier League club Bangkok United have bolstered their defence by signing German centre-back Manuel Bihr on a free transfer. The deal, confirmed by Bangkok United’s website, sees 22-year-old Bihr enter Asian football for the first time. A product of VfB Stuttgart’s youth academy, he has previously played first team football for FC Nürnberg and Stuttgarter Kickers.
Former Liverpool player and UEFA Champions League winner Florent Sinama-Pongolle will ply his trade in Thailand after signing with Chainat Hornbill, the player revealed via social media. Sinama-Pongolle, 31, last played for Scotland’s Dundee United following spells in Spain, Portugal, Russia and the US. The forward joins a Chainat Horbill side battling relegation and lying 16th in the Thai Premier League.
The UAE’s Ittihad Kalba have completed a trio of signings from abroad, the club confirmed on social media. The players are 93-cap Iraq international veteran Salam Shaker, Buriram United and Suphanburi’s former Spanish striker Carmelo Gonzalez and Burkina Faso international striker Yahia Kébé. Ittihad Kalba are back in Arabian Gulf League for the 2016-17 season, after being promoted last term.
Fabio Cannavaro’s Tianjin Quanjian have signed defender Jin Pengxiang on loan, the club revealed on their Sina Weibo page. Jin, 26, joins the China League One side until the end of the season from Beijing Guoan. Tianjin currently sit in fourth position on the league table, just two points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
July 3
English Premier League giants Arsenal have announced the signing of Japan international Takuma Asano** **subject to a successful medical and international clearance.
Saudi club Al Fateh have secured the services of Brazilian striker Nathan Junior for the next three seasons, the club revealed on its official website. Nathan Junior, 27, joins from Portuguese outfit Tondela, where he scored thirteen goals in the Primeira Liga last season. Portuguese head coach Ricardo Sa Pinto is just over a month into his tenure at the club, who were Saudi champions for the first time in 2013.
2014 AFC Champions League and 2015 AFC Asian Cup winning striker Tomi Juric has signed a two-year deal with FC Luzern, the Swiss club revealed on their official website. 24-year-old Juric, who has 15 caps to his name and scored against Oman in last year’s Asian Cup, will play UEFA Europa League football for the club, who finished third in last season’s Swiss Super League. Juric joins from Dutch club Roda JC, where he scored seven goals in 20 matches last season.
German-born Zhi-Gin Lam has signed with Hong Kong’s Kitchee, the club confirmed via social media. Lam made 20 Bundesliga appearances for Hamburg SV from 2011 to 2014 before joining second division side Greuther Fürth. The 25-year-old joins a Kitchee team that will attempt to qualify for the 2017 AFC Champions League via the preliminary rounds after finishing second in last season’s Hong Kong Premier League.
July 1
Iran U23 international Ali Karimi has joined Dinamo Zagreb, the Croatian club has announced. Karimi, a key figure for his country during January’s AFC U23 Championship in Qatar, leaves Iranian giants Sepahan after agreeing a five-year deal with Dinamo who last season won a league and cup double.
“Dinamo are the top club in Croatia, they are champions and they are part of the UEFA Champions League group stage competition every season. Of course, this is an honour for me. There is no doubt that there is huge competition in the club, but I will do my best.”
Saudi national team captain Osama Hawsawi has returned to Al Hilal after four years away, the club confirmed on its website. Hawsawi, 32, has 114 Saudi Arabia caps to his name, and won the Saudi Professional League three times with Al Hilal before leaving for Anderlecht in 2012. He returned to Saudi football later that year with Al Ahli and won another league title in 2016.
Brazilian Jair has returned to Korean football by signing with K League Classic side Jeonnam Dragons. The striker joins from the Dubai-based Hatta Club and has previously played in Korea Republic, where he scored 20 goals in 55 matches for Jeju United.
Australia women’s international Chloe Logarzo has signed with Swedish club Eskilstuna United DFF, the 21-year-old confirmed via social media. The club finished second in last season’s Damallsvenskan and will be playing UEFA Women’s Champions League football in 2016-17. An attacking midfielder, Logarzo has eight caps for Australia and will be hoping to be part of the Australian squad for the Olympic games, announced on July 4.
June 29
Slovenia international defender Miral Samardzic has joined Henan Jianye, his former club, Croatia’s HNK Rijeka confirmed on their website. Samardzic joins the Zhenghou-based club for the second half of the Chinese Super League season, where they currently sit in sixth position. The 29-year-old has nine caps for Slovenia, with his most recent appearance coming against Northern Ireland in March.
Israeli goalscoring machine Eran Zahavi has signed for the Chinese Super League’s Guangzhou R&F after completing a medical, the club confirmed on its official Sina Weibo account. Zahavi, 28, scored a remarkable 47 goals in all competitions for Maccabi Tel Aviv last season and has racked up 116 goals for the club in the last three seasons. His 35 league goals last term were an Israeli Premier League record, and 21 more than his nearest challenger on the scoring charts, as he won his third consecutive golden boot award. Zahavi is also an Israeli international, appearing 31 times for his country and scoring five goals. No transfer fee or contract details have yet been revealed.
Melbourne City also announced the loan signings on two Australian players on Manchester City’s books, with midfielders Luke Brattan, 26, and Anthony Caceres, 23, joining the club.
COACH UPDATE: UAE side Dibba Al Fujairah have announced that former Sporting Lisbon and Heart of Midlothian manager Paulo Sergio is to be their new head coach.
Pahang FC’s striker Dickson Nwakaeme has secured a move to France in a one-year deal with Angers SCO, the Ligue 1 club confirmed. Nwakaeme departs the Malaysian Super League after three years, winning the Malaysian FA Cup in his only season with Kelantan in 2013, before scoring crucial goals in Pahang’s successful FA Cup and Malaysia Cup final appearances. the following year.
25-year-old Australian defender Zac Anderson has signed with UAE Pro League club Emirates, the club confirmed via Twitter. The move comes weeks after Anderson was released by Sydney FC, where he made five appearances in the 2016 AFC Champions League.
June 28
Kuwait international midfielder Fahad Al Ansari has joined Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad on a one-year loan deal. The 29-year-old arrives from Kuwaiti outfit Al Qadsia with high hopes of impressing the Al Ittihad fans:
"I am honored to join Al Ittihad. The team has a big fan base, and I promise them to live up to their expectations."
Caykur Rizespor has secured two Iranian internationals from Persepolis, the Turkish club confirmed. 23-year-old Mehdi Taremi, top scorer in last season’s Persian Gulf Pro League, and 26-year-old right back Ramin Rezaeian have both joined the Turkish Super Lig club on two-year contracts. Taremi and Rezaeian featured in Carlos Queiroz’s most recent Team Melli squad, and arrive in Turkey having narrowly missed out on the 2015-16 Iranian title after being denied by Esteghlal Khuzestan on goal difference.
K League Challenge high-flyers Gangwon FC have added 30-year-midfielder Park Hee-do to their squad as they continue their push for promotion. The club, currently third in Korea’s second tier, confirmed the signing of Park who has previously played for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and FC Seoul, but joins the club after a stint in Qatar with Al Khor SC.
COACH UPDATE: Saudi giants Al Hilal have unveiled former Uruguay international Gustavo Matosas as their new head coach via the club’s official Twitter account.
In a busy day for the club, Al Hilal also announced the arrival of two new players; Abdelmajid Al Rouweili, a forward with six international caps for Saudi Arabia, from Al Taawoun, and Majed Al Najrani, an attacking midfielder from Al Qadisiyah.
Australian central defender Tomislav Mrcela has entered the world of Korean football after being snapped up by Jeonnam Dragons, the club’s website confirmed. The 195-centimetre central defender joins the K League Classic club after playing the entirety of his senior career for clubs in Croatia, NK Lokomotiva being the most recent. 25-year-old Mrcela is yet to make his full international debut for Australia, although he was called up to Ange Postecoglou's squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifier in Kyrgyzstan in 2015.
UAE Pro League side Baniyas have announced the signing of local players Omar Al Rashidi and Yousef Hzam.
COACH UPDATE: Former Adelaide United boss Josep Gombau has returned to Australian football as the coach of the U23 national team.
"This is a great opportunity for me to work with the best young players in Australia."
June 27
Chinese Super League club Shijiazhuang Ever Bright have confirmed the capture of 33-year-old forward/winger Matheus via its Sina Weibo page. The Brazilian joins the Hebei-based club after five years in Ukraine with Dnipro, where he played over 100 matches including the 2014-15 UEFA Europa League final against Sevilla.
PSV Eindhoven have announced the loan signing of Australian defender Thomas Deng. The 19-year-old joins the Dutch champions on a one-year deal from 2014-15 A-League winners Melbourne Victory, but PSV confirmed they have the option to make the deal permanent. Deng will play for Jong PSV, the Eindhoven club’s reserve squad, in the second tier Eerste Divisie. Deng turned heads with his strong performances in his debut professional season with Melbourne Victory, and appeared for Australia in the 2016 AFC U23 Championship in Qatar.
Australian national team aspirant Brad Inman has been unveiled as the latest signing at Peterborough United. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has signed a three-year contract with the English Football League One club after completing a free transfer from Crewe Alexandra. Inman was named in the Socceroos squad for last month’s 2-1 friendly loss to England but is yet to make his international debut.
COACH UPDATE: Qatar’s Al Arabi have confirmed the arrival of a new head coach. Uruguayan Gerardo Pelusso joins the club after an extensive career in South American football with clubs such as Alianza Lima, Universidad de Chile and Uruguay’s Nacional, as well as the Paraguayan national team. His most recent role was with Colombia’s Santa Fe, where he led the club to a maiden continental trophy by winning the 2015 Copa Sudamericana. He replaces Italian Gianfranco Zola, who has parted ways with the club.
June 26
Australian international attacking midfielder Dario Vidosic has made his Chinese football debut, having completed a switch to Super League club Liaoning Whowin. 29-year-old Vidosic, who was officially released by former club Western Sydney Wanderers last week, played for 58 minutes in Liaoning’s 3-1 win over Guangzhou R & F before being substituted on Sunday. Vidosic has recently found himself left out of Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos setup after being selected for both the 2010 and 2014 editions of the FIFA World Cup.
Saudi champions Al Ahli have signed S.C. Braga’s defensive midfielder Luiz Carlos as they prepare to defend their title. The Jeddah club announced the signing via their official twitter account, adding that the Brazilian comes to the club as a recommendation of their Portuguese coach Jose Manuel Gomes. Luiz Carlos joins after three seasons with Braga in Portugal’s Primeira Liga.
June 25
Dutch striker Ruud Boymans has joined Al Shabab from Utrecht. The 27-year forward has penned a three-year deal with the UAE side.
June 24
27-year-old Dutch striker Ruud Boymans has joined Al Shabab in the United Arab Emirates on a three-year contract, his former club FC Utrecht confirmed. Boymans has been brought to the club by Al Shabab’s new coach Fred Rutten, also a Dutchman. He arrives in Dubai after scoring 10 goals from seven starts and 12 substitute appearances in FC Utrecht’s 2015-16 Eredivisie campaign. No transfer fee has been revealed.
Al Faisaly of Saudi Arabia have secured the services of Brazilian forward Everaldo Stum. The 24-year-old’s signing marks the first time he has entered the world of Asian football. He has previously played for a number of Brazilian clubs including Gremio and Figueirense.
COACH UPDATE: Park Kun-ha has left his coaching role with the Korea Republic national team to take up the reins at K League Challenge side Seoul E-Land FC. Park makes the move after the second tier club parted company with former incumbent Martin Rennie.
Japan international Hiroshi Kiyotake has swapped club football in Germany for Spain having transferred to La Liga side Sevilla from Hannover 96, who were relegated to Bundesliga 2 after finishing 18th in the top flight last season.
June 23
Japan international defender Hiroki Sakai has completed a move to Marseille, the French side announced on Thursday.
23-year-old Australian midfielder Mustafa Amini has swapped Randers FC for their Danish Superliga rivals AGF Aarhus, the club confirmed. Amini, who spent three seasons with Borussia Dortmund II before moving to Denmark and made 29 appearances for Randers last season, had two years remaining on his contract but AGF swooped to secure the talented playmaker for an undisclosed fee.
Also in Australia, goalkeeper Liam Reddy has become the first player to sign for seven different A-League clubs by securing a deal with Perth Glory for the 2016-17 season. Reddy’s most recent club was the Western Sydney Wanderers, but the journeyman has also played for Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners, Wellington Phoenix, Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets
The Brazilian forward Weslley Feitosa has joined J-League club Shonan Bellmare on loan from Thai Premier League champions Buriram United until the end of the season. Weslley played 12 matches for Buriram, after joining from Korea’s Busan IPark at the end of last season.
June 22
Iran national team striker Reza Ghoochannejhad is set to return to the club which launched his career, after joining Dutch club SC Heerenveen in a two-year deal
“We are looking for reinforcements in the 25 to 32 year age group. We have many talented young players but still lack experience and routine in our selection. Reza is therefore a welcome reinforcement.” – Heerenveen technical manager Gerry Hamstra
Iranian giants Persepolis have confirmed the singing of Australian defender Antony Golec on a two-year deal. Golec, who won the AFC Champions League with Western Sydney Wanderers in 2014, joins the Tehran club after winning a title in Moldova with FC Sheriff.
Thai Premier League table-toppers Muangthong, United excited their fans even further by announcing the return of Ivorian attacking midfielder/winger Yaya Soumahoro on a two-year deal. Soumahoro spent two years with Muangthong between 2008 and 2010, scoring 32 goals in 72 matches and playing a significant role in the club’s promotion to the Thai Premier League in 2008. The Ivorian returns to Thai football after six years in Belgium with AA Gent, and most recently Sint-Truiden.
Also in Thailand, Bangkok United, currently second in the Thai Premier League, have strengthened their squad by adding former Thai national team defender Prat Samakrat. Samakrat made 12 appearances for the War Elephants between 2008 and 2012, and joins the club from Suphanburi FC.
K League Classic side and 2012 AFC Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai have announced the signing of Frederic Mendy. The France-born striker, who has represented Guinea Bissau at international level, joins from Portuguese outfit Estoril. Mendy is no stranger to Asia have played in Singapore for Etoile and Home United between 2010 and 2013.
June 21
COACH UPDATE: Choi Yong-soo leaves AFC Champions League quarter-finalists FC Seoul for Jiangsu Suning.
More news out of Korea Republic: K League Cassic outfit Pohang Steelers have confirmed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Muralha from Flamengo.
Esteghlal’s all-time top Persian Gulf Pro League goalscorer Arash Borhani has joined newly-promoted Paykan, the club confirmed. The 32-year-old former Iran international joins Paykan after scoring 80 times for Esteghlal since joining the club in 2007.
Australia U-20 and U-23 international winger Andrew Hoole has returned to Newcastle Jets a year after leaving the club for Sydney FC. Hoole made 15 A-League appearances for the Sky Blue last season, but was allowed to end his contract on Monday, before officially signing with Newcastle on a one-year-deal on Tuesday.
June 20
Japan star Takashi Usami leaves Gamba Osaka and heads to Bundesliga side Augsburg.
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