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Tribune News Network
DOHA
Former QSL champions Lekhwiya have confirmed the signing of Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi from La Liga side Granada.
The Moroccan international has signed a three-year deal with the Qatari club and will replace the outgoing striker Alain Dioko. With his arrival, Lekhwiya have confirmed their four professional players for the upcoming season. Other foreign players for the four-time QSL winners are Chico Flores, Nam Tae-hee and Yusef Msakni.
The striker is set to be formally introduced to the media following the squad's training camp in Austria. El Arabi is no stranger to the region, having enjoyed a stint with Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilial, and his experience will be seen as vital for the Red Knights as they seek to win the QSL's Falcon Shield for a fifth time.
Lekhwiya also got Al Gharafa goalkeeper Qasem Burhan on a one-year loan deal, while their own keeper Ivanildo Rodrigues is heading to Al Gharafa on the same contract.
Lekhwiya have made some alteration to their friendly matches schedule. They will now face Turkish outfit 'c7aykur Rizespor on the July 22, followed by a clash against Saudi giants Al Hilal on the July 25. Djamel Belmadi's side will then complete their preparations with a game four days later against Spanish side Eibar on July 29, just a day before returning home to focus on a strong start of the QSL season.
Garcia joins Rayyan
Reigning QSL champions Al Rayyan welcomed back Spanish striker Sergio Garcia to their pre-season training. The former Espanyol star joined his teammates on Monday evening, as the Lions continue preparations for the new QSL season.
The squad underwent light training drills under the watchful eye of head coach Jorge Fossati. Al Rayyan will train in Doha till July 27, before departing to Murcia, Spain for their pre-season training camp.
Al Rayyan's camp in Spain will end on August 20 before they come back home to prepare for the QSL title defence.
Al Sadd train in Kaprun
Al Sadd Club continued their training in Kaprun on Monday with morning and evening sessions. This was their third day of the pre-season camp in the Austrian city.
Head coach Jesualdo Ferreira used the morning session in one of the forests near the hotel in Kaprun to raise endurance level of his players. The session lasted about an hour and a half, in which the players underwent long distance running.
Team fitness coach Pedro used the evening session for the physical and technical aspects of the players. Coach Ferreira dedicated the second half of the session for technical drills, dividing the team into two groups.
There was a practice match in which the stress was on quick play and transfer of the ball to each other's half.
