Denilson has said he is determined to repay the faith Al Wahda have shown in him following the completion of his transfer from Sao Paulo.
The Brazilian midfielder, 27, arrived in the UAE this week to undergo a medical and finalise his three-year contract with the Abu Dhabi club.
Denilson, who played for Premier League side Arsenal for seven years from 2006, is Wahda’s first signing since they appointed Javier Aguirre as coach earlier this month. He has replaced Adil Hermach, the Moroccan midfielder.
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Denilson credited compatriot Magrao, the former Wahda midfielder, with convincing him to join. The Brazilian mediated negotiations, which Denilson described as relatively straightforward. He also cited the opportunity to experience a new country and culture as reason for the move.
“It’s always a good thing to try to live in a new country and discover new things,” Denilson told the Arabic press. “These are important moments for my family and me.
“I’ve heard a lot about Al Wahda and Abu Dhabi and about life in the UAE. I promise to give my best and to make my best efforts with the team and for the team. I also promise to gain the trust of the administration and the club’s fans. This is a new challenge for me as a footballer and I must succeed in it.”
Denilson said he has already watched a selection of Wahda matches and identified Sebastian Tagliabue and Ismail Matar as players he is looking forward to working with. The Arabian Gulf League club, who finished fourth last season, represent Denilson’s first experience of football in the Middle East, since he began his career at Sao Paulo before switching to Arsenal.
After 153 appearances with the London club, he was loaned back to Sao Paulo in 2011 and then made permanent the move two years later.
“I like stability. I’ve played for only two clubs so far: Sao Paulo, where I learnt to play, and Arsenal, whom I joined at 17,” Denilson said. “Then I returned to Sao Paulo again.
“Now that I’ve signed with Al Wahda, I look at Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a second home. I know I must be focused and prove that the club was right to choose me to defend its colours.
“I wasn’t apprehensive at all to take on this new challenge. There are many players who don’t appreciate moving to play in the Middle East, but I learnt that football here is good and there’s great passion for it.
“I’m looking forward to meeting Al Wahda’s fans on the pitch and I intend to present myself well at the club in order to achieve championships. I know that Al Wahda fans are loyal and they adore their team.”
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