Al Ain Officially Signs the Swedish Striker for Two Season
Emphasizing that the Player’s Keenness to Join the “Boss” Squad Contributes to his Transfer
Al Hajeri: The Head Coach’s Vision Determines the Future of the Players in the New Season
Al Ain Refers to “International” Regulations as for the Al Ain’ Players Joining the National Team
We Already Put Forward Competitive Offers to the Club’s Players and We understand the Young Player’s Desires
Al Ain FC has officially announced signing with the “international” striker Markus Berg, the top scorer of the Greek Football League, for two seasons subject to renewal coming from Panathinaikos FC replacing the Saudi striker Nasser Al Shamrani. The player appeared in photos posted on Al Ain FC official website wearing Al Ain T-Shirt holding number “9”. Noteworthy, Berg’s deal is the second one signed in a few weeks following signing Japan’s Tsukasa Shiotani who replaced South Korea’s Lee Myung-joo in mid-June 2017.
H.E. Ghanim Al Hajeri, Chairman of Al Ain Football Club Company, emphasized that the needs of Al Ain first team stated in the Head Coach’s report were clear. Indeed, and in line with the club’s management directives, all the concerned doubled their efforts to make all the requirements specified in Zoran’s report available in the right time and in the manner that will help Al Ain FC arrive at the level of readiness required to meet the challenges of the coming new football season at the local and continental levels in order to achieve the team’s desired goals.
H.E. the Chairman of Al Ain Football Club Company availed the opportunity to express his gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the First Vice President of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, the First Vice President of Honorary Board and Chairman of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, for his generous support, highly appreciated trust and substantial back up of the team. The matter which has remained the greatest motive for all Al Ain members to achieve the highest indicators of success and that each member of this great entity would be up to the expectations and trust vested in them as well as the confidence of the wise leadership.
Berg’s Desire
H.E. Al Hajeri praised the efforts of his bothers, members of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Football Club Company, and members of the Technical Professional Committee for their professionalism in dealing with the contracts file in a respectable manner. Such efforts that effectively contributed to closing the file of the most important options presented by the Head Coach within a short period.
Al Hajeri also praised the pronounced desire of the Swedish striker Marcus Berg to join Al Ain squad which also contributed greatly to ironing out the differences witnessed his transfer to Al Ain FC, particularly as the negotiations entered at a critical time a turn different from the planned course of negotiations. However, the “international” striker showed a profound desire to join the squad of Al Ain, especially after the interventions accompanied the previous stage of negotiations with the aim to spoil the deal.
The Foreigners’ File
Commenting on a question on the validity of the recent media reports talking about Asprilla’s move to the Turkish Football League, he said, “Indeed, there are several Gulf and European offers to Al Ain FC to purchase his card. Al Ain Management is currently examining these offers to choose the best. This issue will be resolved once all parties reach an agreement on the player’s transfer to his new destination, and of course following discussing the issue with the player in the presence of his agent.”
As for the position that will be vacant following Asprilla’s absence, he replied, “Coach Zoran’s report was flawless, and as I mentioned to you, it included all the team’s requirements to accurately achieve the desired goals for the next stage. In fact, everyone is striving hard through his position to double his efforts and with a great desire to close the file of foreign players in the appropriate time. All the details related to each deal will be announced immediately as soon as its file is closed.”
Competitive Offers
Responding to a question on the future of certain players who already enjoyed Zoran’s confidence while their contracts were not renewed and the media news is talking about their move to other clubs, he said: “Definitely, the Board of Directors of Al Ain Football Club Company approved the technical report submitted by the Head Coach in line with the recommendation of the Technical Professional Committee. The report was mainly based on the idea of relying on the Club’s sons coming from Al Ain Football Academy. Personally, I have full confidence in all the players who the Coach granted the chance to play during the last season, especially following their notable levels, such as: Saeed Jumaa, Mohammed Khalfan, Youssef Ahmed, Suleiman Nasser, Salem Al Azizi and Rashid Muhair, Ali Eid and other players, along with the players nominated by the end of the last season to join Al Ain First Team camp for the U-17 and U-19 squads.
He went on to say, “Based on Al Ain’s strategy of stimulating excellence in work and performance, competitive offers have already been offered for the number of young players to renew their contracts. On the other hand, we understand some young players’ desires, but it is very important to recall the challenges which awaits them if they leave the club’s lists or continue to be part of Al Ain squad during the next stage, especially in light of the return of injured players. Actually, all of them are aware that they are required to be diligent, more focused and redouble their efforts to reserve their position on the head Coach’s list.”
Genuine Wealth
With regard to the players who are planned to leave the team, he said, “There are several names stated in the Head Coach’s list, but I think that the preparation period for the new season will enable us to determine the final list of the team, especially as the Head Coach made up his mind to give a greater chance to the club’s sons. This has augmented our confidence in the potentials of the current names of the team as well as young players of U-20 Tem.”
He added, “Al Ain Football Academy is for sure a real genuine wealth and not only for the club, but also for UAE football. Any observer will effortlessly identify that a large number of players who graduated from Al Ain Football Academy are currently able to play in key positions with their clubs they moved to in the Gulf Arab League. Thanks go to the successful and solid strategy supported by His Highness Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Moreover, there are a large number of players who used to play to Al Ain FC and were able to join the UAE National Team and other different age-category national teams. He emphasized the fact that, ” Al Ain Football Academy had been and will always be the main backbone of the national teams and Al Ain club. We are currently, in addition to the work team, working to adopt the best practices to keep pace with signs of development that surely will lead the team to achieve the highest indicators of success consistent with the vision of His Highness the Chairman of the Board of Directors, especially as the Head Coach Zoran believes in the potentials of young players and was able to engage certain players in his list who showed their best in the pitch. Absolutely, there will be other players who will show their exceptional quality skills with the team in the coming stage.”
International Regulations
In response to a question on the statements made by the National Team Head Coach to recall Al Ain international players to join the UAE National Team camp and by this repeating the scenario of the last season, he said, “Al Ain FC has always been and will remain the national torch that contributes to the success of the UAE football based on its leadership’s vision and in line with the critical role the club has been playing within the sports system. Therefore, we declare that we are standing in the side of our national team, and we stress our understanding of the position of the Head Coach of the UAE National Team. Yet, the reality confirms that the task of the UAE Team is of a national nature, and the same applies to Al Ain FC who has a national mission and it is not less important than the one vested in the UAE National Team taking in consideration the fortunes of the UAE National Team and Al Ain Team in both the “International” and the “Asian” competitions. I do believe that there are International Regulations adopted recently during the General Assembly meeting which Al Ain will refer to in this regard.
Marcus Berg … The Super Striker
The “international” Swedish player, Marcus Berg, is one of the prominent strikers in the Swedish football arena. He enjoys a leadership personality and a fighting spirit. His performance is featured by speed, concentration, intelligence and seriousness. Berg is known for his strong foot and head shots.
Berg has earned several titles during his successful career with Sweden National Team and clubs he played for. He won the title of the Best Scorer of UEFA European U-19, and the Golden Boot of UEFA U-21 Championship when he was named the Player of the Year during his participation with the Sweden National Team in 2004 until 2009. Berg won the title of the Swedish top scorer in 2007 and also the title of the top scorer of the Greek Cup Championship in the 2013-2014 season. He won the title of the Greek League top scorer in 2016-2017 season.
Al Ain new striker has also made significant achievements with the European teams he joined during his successful journey, including the title of the Swedish Premier League with Gutenberg FC in 2007 and the Greek Cup with Panathinaikos FC in 2014.
Attractive Offers
Marcus did receive an attractive offer to move to the Dutch Premier League in 2007 and joined Groningen FC. He played 56 games with the team until 2009 scoring 32 goals before moving to Bundesliga when he joined Hamburg FC signing a four-year contract for the team 2009-2013. He did not complete the period of the contract with Hamburg FC as he received an offer to return back to the Dutch Premier League joining Eindhoven FC on loan. In 2013, he joined Greece’s Panathinaikos FC and played with the team 98 games scoring 65 goals to be one of the prominent scorers of the Greek team over its significant football history.
Background
Marcus Berg was born in Sweden in the city of Torsby on 17th August 1986. He began his football career with his local city club, Torsby IF, before moving to the IFK Velen in 2002. When he was 17, he joined Goteborg FC in the season of 2003- 2004 where he sooner joined the first team of the club in 2005. He continued playing for Goteborg FC until 2007 and played 53 matches and scored 21 goals.
Personal Information:
Name: Marcus Berg
Nationality: Swedish
Date of birth: 17/08/1986
Position: Striker
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 78 kg
