RIYADH: Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal have finally captured the signing of United Arab Emirates star Omar Abdulrahman.
It took time, determination and money for the Riyadh giants to get the 26-year-old playmaker on a one-year loan from Al-Ain. The hundreds of fans who waited at the capital’s airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning for his arrival were in no doubt that “The Boss” have signed a big star and an even bigger talent.
Abdulrahman, the AFC Player of the Year in 2016, has been the hottest property in West Asian football since he burst on to the scene at the 2012 Olympics. Born in Riyadh before moving to the UAE, “Amoory” has been linked with a move to European giants such as Juventus, Manchester City and Barcelona.
His first overseas move however is to his hometown club that he supported as a boy. That did not, however, stop the transfer being protracted, complex and expensive.
Al-Hilal will have to pay around €15 million ($17 million) to Al-Ain and the player for just 12 months of his services, making the deal the second most expensive loan in the history of football after the €18 million it cost AC Milan to preside Juventus to loan them Gonzalo Higuain in July.
The addition of Abdulrahman comes less than a month after the Riyadh giants, now led by new president Sami Al-Jaber and new coach Jorge Jesus from Portugal, signed Peruvian winger Andre Carrillo, who scored for the South Americans at this summer’s World Cup.
It also marks a victory for Al-Hilal over Al-Nassr. The other Riyadh giants, who finished in third last season, have been especially busy in the transfer window and made a late bid to try and hijack Al-Hilal’s deal for the UAE star, offering more money.
Al-Hilal announce signing of UAE star Omar Abdulrahman
Al-Hilal announce signing of UAE star Omar Abdulrahman
- It took time, determination and money for the Riyadh giants to get the 26-year-old playmaker on a one-year loan from Al-Ain
- Abdulrahman, the AFC Player of the Year in 2016, has been the hottest property in West Asian football since he burst on to the scene at the 2012 Olympics
4 advance to quarterfinals at Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
- Samsonova, Kessler, Baptiste and Tauson all win, while Eala and Tjen progress in drama-filled doubles
ABU DHABI: Four WTA stars have reached the quarterfinals of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open at Zayed Sports City, while Filipina hotshot Alex Eala, alongside Janice Tjen, won a thrilling doubles encounter which went down to a super tiebreak.
On Tuesday, in the singles, seven-time WTA Tour title winner Liudmila Samsonova eliminated Indonesia’s Janice Tjen in straight sets and McCartney Kessler knocked out the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open reigning singles champion Leylah Fernandez.
In the evening, Hailey Baptiste won an all-American clash against Emma Navarro to book her spot in the quarterfinals.
Baptiste said: “It feels really good to progress to the quarters. The atmosphere was great and there’s some fans here from back home in Washington D.C. which is awesome.”
On the doubles side, there was a full crowd on court one to witness Eala and Tjen overcame Fernandez and Kristina Mladenovic in dramatic fashion. The match went down to a super tiebreak and the popular Asian duo came out on top in front of an ecstatic crowd.
Away from the courts, students enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at sports physiotherapy as Aliaksandra Sasnovich visited Healthpoint Hospital to explore equipment used in the treatment and prevention of sports injuries.
The day included an exclusive meet-and-greet, with students taking photos with Sasnovich before gathering at the Stadium Court to soak up the atmosphere.
Nadiia Kichenok visited the Healthpoint booth, where she took part in a sports injury health quiz, posed for photos, and signed merchandise and tennis balls for fans.
In addition, there was a Special Olympics Clinic for an hour in the evening and activities at the tournament village with stilt walkers and live music.
Nigel Gupta, tournament director, said: “It was another wonderful day at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, with huge crowds and a fantastic atmosphere throughout the venue.
“Fans have even more to look forward to tomorrow, with defending champion Belinda Bencic making her tournament debut and crowd favorite Alexandra Eala aiming to book her place in the quarterfinals in the closing match of the day.”
Wednesday is the International Girl and Women in Sports Day, appropriately timed with a strong schedule on Stadium Court. Olympic gold medalist Bencic faces British qualifier Sonay Kartal, and Eala takes on Sasnovich.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open runs until Feb. 7.
