Arabian Gulf League: Adeilson to fill gap left by Ciel at Al Shabab

Dubai club tracking forward for some time and believe he could have more significant impact on team than celebrated predecessor, writes John McAuley.

Marcos Paqueta, Al Shabab's manager, found Adeilson was a free agent. Razan Alzayani / The National

DUBAI // Al Shabab hope to push through the signing of Adeilson Pereira de Mello, the Brazilian forward, today as a direct replacement for Ciel.

The Dubai club have for some time been tracking De Mello, often referred to simply as "Adeilson", and believe he could have an even more significant impact on the team than his celebrated predecessor.

Ciel excelled during two-and-a-half seasons with Shabab, scoring 27 goals in 51 top-flight matches. However, the striker transferred to Al Ahli last week, only a few days before Shabab travelled to Germany for a two-week training camp.

Shabab are set to welcome Adeilson in Dusseldorf, where the winger will undergo a medical before signing a contract. Adeilson, 27, spent last season on loan at Nautico, a club in the Brazilian top flight. He also has experience in Europe, having signed a three-year deal with French club Nice in 2009, although the move did not prove a success.

"This was the one we wanted and he's available now," said Obaid Hubaitha, the Shabab team manager. "We lost Ciel, but he's similar to him. He plays as a left winger or on the right, is both-footed and good with his head. He's tall and fast also, so he's exactly what we were looking for.

"[Shabab manager Marcos Paqueta] was communicating with some coaches in Brazil and they told him he'd just finished his contract and was free, so we contacted him and made an offer. He's a very good player, so we'll see."

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