Ghanaian international Andre Ayew, Al Sadd’s new signing, expressed his happiness and pride in joining the QNB Stars League champions, describing it as a new challenge in his career.
The club confirmed on Friday that the 31-year-old has signed a two-year deal with an option for a third after completing his medical in Doha. Ayew took to social media to express his joy at playing for the club where his father, Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew, began his overseas career – in the early 1980’s – for the first time. Ayew had been without a club after his three-year contract with Swansea City was not renewed at the end of last season.
Later after signing the contract with the Wolves, Ayew told the club’s website: “I am very happy and proud to play at Al Sadd. It’s an important moment for me and my family, because of what Al Sadd provided to my family in the past, and therefore when the club offered me a contract, I agreed immediately and I am sure that we will win more championships together.”
On the role of his father, Abedi Pele, in him joining Al Sadd, Ayew said: “Certainly, I heard from my father of the wonderful memories he had from his time with Al Sadd in the past. He told me a lot about the club and Qatar, and he helped me make the right decision to play for Al Sadd.”
Asked about his knowledge of Al Sadd’s players, the Ghanaian star said that he had played against many of the team’s players and knows them well. “I know Baghdad Bounedjah, who I played against in Africa, as well as Akram Afif, Hassan al-Haydos and Saad al-Dosari, who I know from the Qatar national team. I knew Santi Cazorla too during his time in the Premier League. I hope to be of great support for them in the upcoming challenges.”
He added: “Xavi, the coach of the team, was a great player and played for a long time with the biggest and best club in the world – Barcelona, and he is now a coach for the best club in the Gulf after playing with the team for five years. I follow the Al Sadd team and watched the development that took place in the team’s performance in terms of entertaining football, the positioning of the players and the great tactics with which the team plays. I expect to learn a lot from him during my time with him. My goal is to win titles, to make the fans happy, and to strive hard to win the AFC Champions League.”