The Al Ain handball team are following in the footsteps of the garden city's football club in announcing major signings ahead of the new season.
As football officials were finalising the loan move for Asamoah Gyan, the Ghana international striker from English Premier League club Sunderland, their handball counterparts were sealing a deal to recruit Mohammed Ramadan from Al Nasr.
Ramadan was unveiled as an Al Ain player on Monday.
His capture completes a hat-trick of signings by the club. Yusuf Mohamed Hassan has joined from Al Ahli and the Tunisian, Ahmed Al Quizani, as been signed as a foreign player.
Club officials are working on finding a second foreign recruit before the start of the season next month. Abdurrahman Nasseb, the general administrator of Al Ain Club handball sector, said Ramadan was one of the most distinguished players in the country with a string of excellent performances to his credit.
The Al Ain players are already preparing for the new campaign at a training camp at a physical education centre in Abu Dhabi, which started on Saturday and will run until September 22. The 21 players involved in the camp are being supported by coaches and administration teams.
During the camp the team are trying to arrange a friendly match against one of the Kuwaiti sides based in the capital. When they return to Al Ain they will have a rest day before resuming training on September 24 when six friendly matches have been organised against Ahli Sdab, Musqat, and some local teams.