An Arab club has for the primary time signed an Israeli footballer, Diaa Sabia, lower than two weeks after the UAE normalised ties with the Jewish state. Sabia, a 27-year-old Israeli Arab attacking midfielder with China’s Guangzhou R&F, signed a two-year contract with Dubai’s Al-Nasr, the membership mentioned in a press release Sunday. The switch reportedly price greater than 2.5 million euros. “Al-Nasr has accomplished the procedures with Diaa Sabai … in a contract that extends for 2 seasons after he efficiently handed medical examinations this morning,” it mentioned in a press release.
Al-Nasr tweeted footage of Sabia sporting the quantity 9 jersey, dribbling and taking pictures within the emirate’s Al-Maktoum Stadium.
Sabia’s transfer comes after the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is a member, signed a US-brokered accord to normalise ties with Israel on September 15, the primary such take care of a Gulf nation.
Sabia — who’s of Palestinian origin — was born in northern Israel and rose by way of the ranks of a youth membership earlier than shifting to Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2012.
He performed for a number of Israeli golf equipment till signing in 2014 with Maccabi Netanya, the place he stayed for 4 years.
Promoted
Sabia has scored 50 targets in 111 video games in varied competitions, together with 24 within the 2018 season, and has 10 caps within the Israeli nationwide staff.
He was bought to Guangzhou R&F for greater than 4 million euros.
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