Al Jazira sign Valdez

 

Al Jazira has signed Paraguay international striker Nelson Haedo Valdez from Valencia.

The Spanish club confirmed the deal on Friday.

Spanish daily sports newspaper Marca estimated the deal to be worth around 3 million Euros.

Former Valencia midfielder and current Al Jazira coach, Luis Milla, played a vital role in bringing the Paraguayan star to the Abu Dhabi-based club.

Valdez is expected to form a formidable strike force at Al Jazirah with another former Valencia player, Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira.

The Paraguayan star is Al Jazira’s second summer signing from the Spanish League. Earlier this month “The Spider” signed Morocco international Abdelaziz Barrada from Getafe.

Valdez made his name in Germany with Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund, before becoming the most expensive signing in the history of Spanish side Hercules, when he joined them in the summer of 2010 for 3.5 million Euros.

After just one season with the Spanish club, Valdez moved to Rubin Kazan in Russia, but failed to impress and went to Valencia on loan during the 2012-13 season, before the Spanish club decided to buy his contract in February.

Valdez scored 12 goals in 66 international appearances with the Paraguayan national team; he played in two FIFA World Cups and helped the team to a runner-up spot in the 2011 Copa America.

Trivia – Valdez was part of the Paraguayan squad that took part in the 2003 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in UAE. The team played in Group F hosted by Abu Dhabi and Valdez played in every game scoring a goal in a 2-0 group stage victory over Germany, but the team’s adventure ended in the round of 16 with a 1-0 defeat by Spain.