JEDDAH, 1 August 2007 — Al-Ahli club president Ahmad Al-Marzooki signed contracts with two Brazilians for the next football season. The signing ceremony took place during a press conference at the club headquarters here.
Rodrigo was recruited from Riyadh-based club Al-Hilal, and Nunez is the other Brazilian import in the Ahli lineup.
Al-Marzooki said there was no disagreement with the two players and the signing proceeded after a few details were ironed out. He said the two new recruits would join Ahli club in the trip to glory next season adding, “We will focus on the Saudi league because the team needs that championship.”
Of former Ahli midfielder, Kaio, who played one season with Ahli last year and arguably one of the best players in the Saudi league, Al-Marzooki said, “We signed a renewal contract with the player but he terminated the contract due to family reasons. We cannot force him to continue with us.” Al-Marzooki heaped praise on the Saudi national team that finished runners-up to Iraq in the Asian Cup saying Saudi football won a new young team that would lead the Saudi game to new heights. Rodrigo expressed his readiness to serve Ahli club. He said that after leaving Hilal, he continued training in Brazil. “I am planning to leave a good mark with Ahli club next season,” he said.
For his part, Nunez said that he never played outside Brazil but he is happy to be joining Ahli club. Although he received many offers from Gulf clubs he decided to join Ahli club because of the good reputation it enjoys in Brazil.
