UAE Star Omar Abdulrahman Leaves Saudi Club Al Hilal

UAE international Omar Abdulrahman has left Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal after failing to agree a new contract.

The 27-year-old Emirati joined Al Hilal from Al Ain last August on a free transfer, but suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a match against Al Shabab Riyadh just two months after signing at the King Saud University Stadium.

The injury saw the 2016 Asian Player of the Year sidelined for most of the season and although the playmaker travelled with the team to Austria at the start of July for pre-season training, a statement from Al Hilal confirmed the player’s exit.

It said: “The club’s management started talks with the player before our training camp in Europe, as he had asked to renew his contract before that camp even though there was still one month remaining on his contract.

“Because of his previous injury, we wanted to renew the player’s contract after he had passed a medical test. The player passed the medical examination and then demanded an increase in the financial part of the contract.

“We adjusted our offer, and gave him 24 hours to reply, to make sure that we get this matter resolved quickly. We have extended the deadline several times, but we have still to receive a reply.

“We have therefore decided to end the negotiations and we thank Omar [Abdulrahman] for the time he spent with the club, and wish him all the best for the future.”

Abdulrahman was included in the UAE squad for new manager Bert van Marwijk’s nine-day training camp with the national team this month, also in Austria.

Al Hilal are scheduled to meet domestic rivals Al Ahli Saudi FC in the first leg of their 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 showdown on August 6, before hosting the return fixture a week later.