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Al Ahli introduce Brazilian stars Grafite and Jaja

Al Ahli's two new Brazilian recruits, 32-year-old Grafite and 25 year-old Jaja, have confirmed their intentions to demonstrate their best skills with their new club Al Ahli in the upcoming season of the Etisalat Pro-League. The two stars, speaking in a press conference at the Burj Khalifa on Sunday, promised to score a raft of goals against their opponents in the new season.

Before arriving in the UAE the Brazilians were playing in Europe, with Grafite shining with Wolfsburg in Germany in 2009 and Jaja playing strong football with Trabzonspor (Turkey) and Kharkiv (Ukraine).

The press conference was attended by Ahmed Khalifa Hammad, Executive Director of the Al Ahli Club, Ivan Hasek, Team Coach, and Fabio Cannavaro, Technical Advisor and Ambassador of the Club. The Italian star Cannavaro handed the new shirts over to the players - Grafite will wear number 23 and Jaja will take the pitch in number 50.

Jaja denied reports published earlier by some Turkish media accusing him of refusing to join Al Ahli when they had initially approached him.

"That is not true. At first I did not know much about Al Ahli, but after talking to those who know more about the Gulf and Asian football, I came to know that Al Ahli is a big club in the region, and they advised me not to let the opportunity slip from my hands, especially as the club includes international names such as Fabio Cannavaro," said Jaja. "So I accepted Al Ahli's offer without hesitation, and rejected all other offers from some European clubs, Turkey and Qatar."

"We will fight on the pitch in order to make the fans happy. We ask them to forget the last season and look forward as we all do our best for the team," he added.

During the press conference Grafite confirmed that Al Ahli's coach Ivan Hasek had coached him before when he was playing in the French league.

"Hasek is a big name in the world of training in Europe, one of the reputed and well known coaches, and his guidance to Al Ahli in the next season has encouraged me to join the team. I hope to give all my experience and my talent to make victories and championships for the Club in the forthcoming season. I hope to demonstrate a lovely display, like I did in France and Germany."

Ahmed Khalifa Hammad, Executive Director of Al Ahli, refused to reveal the value of the deals of the two players, but said that Jaja has signed a contract for three seasons, while Grafite's contract was for two seasons.  

Coach Hasek praised Al Ahli's three signings: Jaja, Grafite and Chilean star Jimenez saying, "I have known Grafite since I was a coach in France and he is an outstanding player, and Jaja is a dynamic playmaker in addition to the skills of Jimenez. I will try to achieve harmony between all elements of the team, until we achieve our ambitions and goals."