Ghanaian captain Andre Ayew joined Qatari side Al Sadd on a two-year deal with an option for a third following the expiry of his contract at Welsh side Swansea City.
Ayew was a free agent after Swansea did not renew his contract at the end of the season in which he scored 16 goals in 43 matches as the team just missed out on promotion to the Premier League by losing in the Championship playoff final.
Reports suggest the 31-year-old could earn more than $200,0000 a week at the reigning Qatar Stars League champions.
Al Sadd, currently coached by Spain and Barcelona legend Xavi, holds a special place in Ayew’s heart as it is the club where his father, Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew, began his overseas career for the first time in the early 1980’s.
Ayew’s transfer echoes a similar one by former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan from English Premier League club Sunderland to Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in July 2012 having been loan at the club since September 2011.
(Story compiled with assistance from wire reports)