Omar returns home to UAE, with Al Jazira

NEW PASTURES: Omar Abdulrahman dons the Al Jazira jersey. - Twitter

It's a move none would have thought about or imagined but UAE's most famous footballing son Omar Abdulrahman is indeed returning home, not with Al Ain, but with Al Jazira.
Al Jazira, known as the 'Pride of Abu Dhabi,' took delight in announcing the major swoop for the emblematic playmaker from Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal.
Omar, voted the Asian Player of the Year in 2016, joins the two-time Arabian Gulf League (AGL) winners on a free transfer.
Although the details and length of the contract was not disclosed, transfermarkt.com pegged the deal to be worth ?2 million with the UAE international handed a three-year contract.
Omar, nicknamed 'Amoory,' signing represents a significant move by Al Jazira as he will now form a lethal strike force with frontman Ali Ahmed Mabkhout.
The pair have enjoyed a fruitful partnership when on international duty and with playing together for both club and country, the duo will be the envy of the rest of the clubs in the League. Omar's return will also spark more interest in the League.
 "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the management of Al Jazira for the trust they have shown in my ability. I am here to help the club reach its goals this season, and in many more to come," Omar said in a statement released by the club.
"I have several friends already at the club but I'm excited to meet up with the full squad in the coming days. I will work hard to gain the respect of the coaching staff, the players and the fans. I'm really optimistic about the future and I believe that we will celebrate a lot of good things together," added the 27-year-old, who is returning from an injury lay-off after being sidelined following a ruptured cruciate ligament on his right knee which required surgery.
Omar had suffered the injury during a Saudi Professional League fixture against Al Shabab last October. It also forced him to miss the AFC Asian Cup played on home soil as well as the UAE's training camp in Salzburg, Austria, last month.
Omar, who made 145 appearances after graduating to the Al Ain first team in 2008, should be fit in time before the new season of the League begins on September 19.
"We are following up with our medical team and his doctor on a regular basis. He will most likely return to training in September," UAE FA Vice President Abdullah Naser Al Junaibi had revealed to the Khaleej Times last month.
Meanwhile, Al Jazira now have two Abdulrahmans with Amer, although not related to Omar, joining from Al Ain.
james@khaleejtimes.com