Record-Breaking UAE Transfer Window: Latin Flair and Moroccan Moves Redefine the 2025-26 Season
1 octobre 2025
Record UAE Transfer Window
At the close of the 2025-2026 summer window, the UAE Football Association revealed a colossal tally of deals completed by local clubs, totaling 2640 transactions between July 10 and October 1, 2026. The moves ranged from permanent transfers to loans, re-registrations, and a few restricted swaps. The market reflected a vibrant, competitive environment where every club chased a tangible edge ahead of the new campaign.
Within the ADNOC Pro League alone, 318 deals were finalized, including three swaps, nine loans, and two permanent moves, alongside 126 new registrations and 178 re-registrations. The level of activity underscored a dynamic market and a race among clubs to strengthen rosters with players capable of making a difference.
Al Wasl and Al Ain: Latin and Moroccan Signings
Al Wasl stood out as the most active club, weaving a thread of Latin flavor into its roster with a string of notable signings. Renato Tapia, a Peruvian midfielder, joined on a two-year deal from Leganés, while Colombian Bryan Palacios arrived from Atlético Mineiro. In addition, Brazilian players Hugo Neto (Botafogo), Pedro Malheiro (Trabzonspor), Renato Junior (Viborg), Matheus Saldania (Ferencvaros), and Adrileson Silva (Lyon) were added to strengthen the squad.
Meanwhile, Al Ain pursued a Moroccan-influenced recruitment, signing Hussein Rahimi from Raja Casablanca and Yahya Ben Khalil from FUS Rabat, alongside Nassim Al Shadili from Wydad. The club also added Slovenian Marcel Ratnik from Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian Adis Yasitch from Wolfsberger, plus Egyptian veteran Ramy Rabia from Al Ahly, broadening its international footprint and depth for the season ahead.
Brazilian Core, Local Growth, and a Global Mix
Other UAE clubs balanced foreign acquisitions with domestic growth. Dhafra strengthened with a Brazilian core, adding players from Santos and Flamengo and bringing in other international prospects while integrating local talents in the squad. Dibba Al-Fujairah pursued a busy slate, incorporating a mix of foreign and local players, alongside strategic loans from neighboring clubs. The window closed with Kalba and other teams completing last-minute touches to finalize their competitive profiles, pairing youth development with experienced signings.
As the dust settled, the market’s profile underscored a blend of enduring experience and youth, a strategy aimed at raising overall competition and producing a more balanced league landscape this season. And yes, the transfer window delivered drama, drama, and a few more drama-filled contracts—because in football, suspense is a byproduct of paperwork. Two punchlines to close: even the agents filed a joint press conference just to explain the clauses; and if rosters were recipes, this window would be a Michelin three-course menu—bold, spicy, and full of substitutions.
