ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
As the countdown goes down to the start of the ADNOC Pro League’s new season, clubs are burning the midnight oil to pick up players even though the transfer window remains open until October 1.
Understandably, clubs are trying to get their new signings into the country as early as possible while the season’s opening fixtures are set to unfold on Saturday and Sunday, marking the 18th staging of the league in its professional era.
The season’s launch was preceded by a formal draw event held at ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The event was attended by dignitaries, including Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC CEO, as well as Abdulla Al Jneibi, Chairman of the UAE Pro League and First Vice President of the UAE Football Association.
Moreover, the draw introduced a novel AI-driven schedule mechanism, designed to distribute high-profile matches evenly across rounds, avoid clustering matches within the same city, and respect clubs’ continental commitments. The first round has ensured easy match-ups for the top-table clubs from last year’s standings, thus expecting a flying start.
The first round will feature the following pairings: Shabab Al Ahli vs Al Dhafra; Dibba vs Sharjah; Al Ain vs Al Bataeh; Ittihad Kalba vs Al Nasr; Ajman vs Al Wahda; Khor Fakkan vs Al Jazira; and Al Wasl vs Bani Yas.
Among clubs based out of the Abu Dhabi emirate, Al Jazira have bolstered their squad by securing Brazilian defender Willyan Rocha from CSKA Moscow in their latest addition.
He joins the “Pride of Abu Dhabi” club, comprising foreign players such as Egyptians Ibrahim Adel and Mohamed Elneny, French playmaker Nabil Fekir, and the Argentine forward Roman Merez. Rocha’s arrival underscores Al Jazira’s ambition to enhance defensive depth while maintaining creative midfield and attacking options.
Al Ain will commence the season against newly promoted Al Bataeh. The leading club from Al Ain Region strengthened their squad in June by recruiting Houssine Rahimi on a four-year contract; the midfielder comes from Raja Casablanca and joins his brother, Soufiane, at the club.
Al Wahda, another prominent Abu Dhabi-based side, will face Ajman in the opening round.
Bani Yas executed a flurry of transfer activity in recent days, adding several foreigners to their roster. They signed Brazilian midfielder Kaiki Pereira (25), previously with Botafogo and Spartak Subotica; UAE international Mackenzie Hunt (23), from Fleetwood Town in England; and Tunisian playmaker Oussama Abeid (23), from Étoile du Sahel.
The club complemented these with other signings and who were presented in front of iconic local backdrops. Uzbek player Akmal Muzgovoi was announced via visuals at Yas Marina Circuit, Mali’s Mahamadou Camara was introduced through heritage-themed content, and Ivorian striker Ismaël Touré was revealed using footage from Zayed International Airport.
Al Bataeh, meanwhile, signed Guinean midfielder Omar Keita, 22, on loan from Shabab Al Ahli. Al Dhafra have added Moroccan striker Karim El Berkaoui, 30, on a free transfer for one season. Among the Dubai clubs, Al Wasl have unveiled their marquee acquisition, Sergio Pereira Andrade or Serginho, from Cape Verde. He joins from the Danish club Viborg. The signing for the club, nicknamed Emperors, was publicised through a creative video produced at the Jebel Ali racecourse – colloquially called the “Yellow Track.”
The distribution of matchups through the AI-based draw system aims to set an even competitive tone in the initial rounds. Clubs will aim to deploy their enhanced rosters effectively in order to commence the season with results that reflect their aspirations.