The movers and shakers for the Arabian Gulf League 2014/15 season

Big hitter: Sebastian Tagliabue, Al Wahda. In his UAE debut season, the Al Wahda forward was even more prolific than Gyan had been. The Argentine, signed last summer from Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia, began slowly, but spearheaded the club’s surprise rise to finish as runners-up to Al Ahli. Scored 28 goals in 25 league matches, bettered only by Gyan. (Photo: Al Ittihad)

Big hitter: Omar Abdulrahman, Al Ain. By his standards, 2013/14 was a poor season for the Al Ain playmaker. However, strong performances towards its conclusion culminated in a superb display in the President’s Cup final, while he maintained his form through the summer to edge his club closer to Asian Champions League glory. Will shine this campaign. (Photo: Marwan Naamani / AFP)

New arrival: Manuel Lanzini, Al Jazira. Judging by the noises coming from the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, the Argentine playmaker could be the star of 2014/15. Al Jazira certainly hope so, given they undertook a substantial effort to sign the River Plate player ahead of several prominent European clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio and Villarreal. Lanzini, 21, has taken little time to endear himself to his new employers. He will next week become the youngest foreign player to feature in the UAE top flight. The record-breaking status does not worry him. Neither does the fact he has replaced Abdelaziz Barrada, last season’s hit midfielder. Lanzini broke through at River Plate at 17 before spending a year on loan at Brazil’s Fluminense and then returning home. He has a brilliant turn of pace and has already forged a promising partnership with Mirko Vucinic, a fellow new signing. (Photo: Al Jazira)

New arrival: Miroslav Stoch, Al Ain. Arriving on loan from Turkey’s Fenerbahce, the Al Ain winger has a point to prove having initially struggled as a teenager at Chelsea. Now 24, the Slovak will certainly be determined to make the most of his latest move. Strong and with the tricks and acceleration to beat an opponent, he should thrive in the UAE. (Photo: Aris Messinis / AFP)

New arrival: Mirko Vucinic, Al Jazira. A CV that boasts five seasons at Roma and three at Juventus confirms Al Jazira have recruited a striker of significant prowess. The Montenegrin has impressed with his work rate, while his finishing was never in question. Will be a contender for the Golden Boot this season and a vital part of his new club’s championship designs. (Photo: Adrian Dennis / AFP)

Big mover: Habib Fardan, Al Ahli. The Al Nasr midfielder’s move across Dubai to Al Ahli made headlines, as it should have done. Fardan, 23, had seemed a part of the furniture at Al Maktoum Stadium since his switch from Al Wasl in 2009, playing 92 league matches in five seasons. The past two campaigns have undeniably been his finest, as Fardan gradually moved forward to become Nasr’s playmaker and at times their chief goal threat. He began to find the net more regularly and last season he scored nine league goals to finish as the division’s most prolific Emirati. Slight but still imposing, Fardan reads the game well and, such was his growing influence at Nasr, he was eventually made captain. A UAE international, he supplies Ahli with another attacking outlet. Crucially, he gives the UAE champions options as they fight on four fronts in 2014/15. (Photo: Jeffrey E Biteng / The National)

Big mover: Fahad Hadeed, Al Nasr. While Al Nasr were loath to let Fardan go, they should be applauded for recruiting a talented winger from nearby Al Wasl. Hadeed, 21, fell out of favour at the Zabeel Stadium, but his ability was never in doubt. He creates and has an eye for goal, too. Scored five times in the league last season. (Jeffrey E Biteng / The National)

Big mover: Nawaf Mubarak, Al Ahli. The Baniyas midfielder, 33, may not have seemed the most likely addition to Al Ahli, but it represents a shrewd move from the champions. Mubarak has been one of the league’s most consistent performers during the past few seasons, and brings experience and expertise. Scored 10 goals in 21 league matches in 2012/13. (Photo: Satish Kumar / The National)

Golden oldie: Grafite, Al Ahli. Al Ahli’s leader on and off the pitch, the Brazilian has been a revelation since joining from Germany’s Wolfsburg in 2011. In three seasons in Dubai, Grafite has scored 59 times in 66 league matches to steer the previously flagging club from mid-table to championship challengers. Last season, his 19 goals helped Ahli seal a first top-flight title in five years. Grafite is a dedicated professional and captain of the club. Despite celebrating his 35th birthday in April, he shows little sign of slowing, which encouraged Ahli to extend his contract for another season. He might be the oldest foreign player in the division, but his talent remains undiminished, as does his engine: he racked up more minutes in the league through 2013/14 (2,138) than any of Ahli’s outfield players. Voted league’s foreign player of the year these past two terms. (Photo: Fadi Al-Assad / Reuters)

Golden oldie: Abdulsalam Jumaa, Al Dhafra. Age seems no barrier to Al Dhafra’s evergreen midfielder. The veteran, 37, still exerts an ability to control his side’s tempo and as captain forms a dual function. Played 25 league matches last season as Dhafra finished eighth and, although he talks of retirement almost every summer, there is another campaign in him. (Photo: Azeem Shoukat / Al Ittihad)

Golden oldie: Abdullah Mousa, Emirates. The former Al Nasr goalkeeper was a safe pair of hands behind a generous back line at Emirates club last season and, at 34, he has retained his agility and sharp reflexes. Acts as captain, too, so his experience and input is important in the dressing room. Will be busy again this campaign. (Photo: Christopher Pike / The National)

Up and comer: Ahmd Barman, Al Ahli. Anyone watching the young Al Ain midfielder against Lekhwiya in February would have discovered what all the fuss was about. Barman, a driving force in the club’s reserves as they steamed to successive league titles in 2013 and 2014, was thrust into the senior side’s opening Asian Champions League group match. He did not disappoint. Defence-minded, he slotted in seamlessly beside Mirel Radoi at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in a 2-1 victory. Entrusted first by Quique Sanchez Flores, new coach Zlatko Dalic has provided the platform for further progression. Barman, 20, is part of the Croat’s first XI and has impressed in Al Ain’s new-look midfield. Technically sound with a strong engine, his greatest claim could be that Helal Saeed, the much-vaunted Al Ain veteran and the man Barman replaced, has not been missed. Huge season ahead. (Christopher Pike / The National)

Up and comer: Ahmed Rabea, Al Jazira. The 2013/14 season marked the young forward’s breakthrough campaign, when he scored six goals for Jazira to give confirmation that a fine future lies ahead. Was promptly named the league’s young player of the year. Can play wide or through the middle, and is quick. At 19, he needs more first-team action. (Ravindranath K / The National)

Up and comer: Ali Salmeen, Al Wasl. Nominated for the league’s rookie of the year award last season, the Al Wasl midfielder, 19, should make an even greater impact this year. An intelligent player despite his tender years, he excelled in his 19 league appearances. Retains possession well and uses the ball wisely. Wasl need Salmeen to continue to develop at this pace. (Photo: Francois Nel / Getty Images)

John McAuley’s selections for the best players, arrivals, Emirati movers, experienced players and young up-and-comers in the AGL before the new season starts on Monday.