Hyundai A-League champions Brisbane Roar have signed Bahrain defender Sayed Mohamed Adnan on a one-year deal.
The former Al-Khor stopper in the Qatari Stars League moved to the Queensland capital after being detained earlier this year for carrying out a peaceful anti-Government protest with other Bahraini nationals.
Adnan, along with his international team-mates, were released in late June, which led to the 28-year-old’s move to Australia.
Despite having few intentions of continuing his professional football career, the veteran of 79 caps for Bahrain said he was lured to the Roar by former rival coach in Qatar, and current Brisbane assistant, Kenny Stead.
“I have to say thank you to Brisbane Roar because it was them who made me come back to football,” Adnan said.
“When I came to Australia I forgot everything about football.”
“I didn’t want to play football anymore. But when I met with Ken, I started thinking about a future in football again.”
Coach Ange Postecoglou said Adnan’s acquisition would come in handy not only for their A-League defence, but for Brisbane’s maiden tilt in the Asian Champions League.
“Mohamed is very composed on the ball and has shown some quality passing in his time with us,” Postecoglou said.
“Defensively he is sound and in an attacking sense he will also give us another dimension.”
“He also has plenty of experience playing in Asia which will be important for our AFC Champions League campaign next year.”
Adnan is expected to be involved in the Roar’s pre-season clash against the Brisbane Strikers on Tuesday.
