Mohammed Fawzi hopes he can be a good omen for Al Ain

Mohammed Fawzi is ready for a new challenge

Mohammed Fawzi said that it was a new challenge with a new club but hoped that his arrival will be a good omen and spark off something big. The UAE international joined Al Ain from Bani Yas on a three-year deal and was officially unveiled at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, late on Tuesday night.

The 24-year-old defender will don the No.77 jersey. Fawzi was at Bani Yas from 2010 to 2014 where he made 28 appearances. Prior to that, Fawzi was with Dubai-based Al Ahli.

Fawzi made it to the UAE Under-17 squad in 2006 before breaking into the UAE Under-20 squad in 2008. He was part of the Under-23 squad in 2010 before graduating into the UAE National team in 2011. “Joining Al Ain is a turning point in my life and I wish I can be a good omen for Al Ain. I hope that I can meet the expectations of the club, coach and the fans,” Fawzi said.

“I know that I will face a new challenge with a big team full of great players and I must double my efforts to be among the starting XI of Al Ain. I promise the fans to show my best in the matches in all competitions,” the Emirati added.

Fawzi said that getting a chance to be a part of the AFC Champions League was added motivation. Al Ain will contest the first leg of the AFC Champions League against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad on August 19.

“Regardless of the AFC Champions League, any player would wish to play for Al Ain. But being part of the starting XI for an AFC Champions League fixture will be added motivation. I hope I can make an impact,” said Fawzi.

Meanwhile, coach Zlatko Dalic too was pleased to have brought in a top quality player.

“Mohammed Fawzi is a quality player with high experience and skills and he can help the team to reach our targets,” Dalic said. Meanwhile, Al Ain have also renewed the contracts of the Abdulrahman brothers — Khaled and Mohammed.

“I’m proud to remain at Al Ain. I have been a part of the club since the beginning. It is only natural to renew my contract with Al Ain and I wish I can continue what I started in the previous seasons with Al Ain,” Khaled Abdulrahman said.

His brother Mohammed Abdulrahman said that it was impossible for him to leave Al Ain. “It is so normal to renew my contract with Al Ain and it means a lot to me. It is impossible for me to leave Al Ain and whatever we do for the club we can’t pay back the faith,” said Mohammed Abdulrahman.