Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Brazilian forward Lima has joined Al Ahli to further strengthen the UAE side’s squad ahead of their AFC Champions League quarter-final campaign.
The 32-year-old has joined the Red Knights on a two-year deal from Portugal’s Benfica, with the South American hitman expected to now feature in Al Ahli’s two-legged last eight showdown with Iran’s Naft Tehran on August 26 and September 16.
AFC Champions League Quarter-Final Fixtures
“Al Ahli contracted with Brazilian striker Lima for a period of two years, renewable for one year,” the club announced on their official website.
“He comes from Benfica in a high-calibre deal and is the first foreign professional signed this summer.”
Having begun his career with Brazilian outfit Mixto, Lima moved to Benfica from Portuguese rivals Braga in 2012 and went on to notch 70 goals in 144 games, helping his side win the 2013/14 and 2014/15 league titles in the process.
The Brazilian’s arrival ends a long hunt for a quality striker by head coach Cosmin Olaroiu who saw prolific forward Grafite to Qatar’s Al Sadd in January.
Al Ahli subsequently finished seventh in the UAE Pro League, scoring 21 goals less than they did in their UAE title-winning season a year earlier.
Earlier this month, the Dubai-based club missed out on Luiz Adriano after the Shakhtar Donetsk forward opted to join AC Milan instead.
Photo: AFP