Sarbia becomes the latest Spaniard to join the Qatari league following Alex Collado’s Al Shamal move.
Spain international Pablo Sarabia has joined Al Arabi from English side Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Qatar Stars League side announced on Wednesday, just hours after midfielder Jassim Jaber’s move to Al Rayyan was made official.
Sarabia joins Al Arabi on a two-year deal and will join fellow Spaniard Rodri Sanchez alongside former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Marco Verratti.
“After countless memories, a new chapter now calls,” Sarabia said in the announcement video. “One that truly ignites my passion. A new mission. A red jersey.”
An attacking midfielder capable of operating as a winger, Sarabia made 66 appearances for Wolves in two seasons, scoring eight times for the Molineux-based side.
The 33-year-old came through Spanish giant Real Madrid’s academy yet failed to make a mark in the senior team, making just one appearance before leaving the club. On the contrary, his international career got off to a flying start as he captained Spain to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship win in 2011.
Two spells in the Spanish league saw Sarabia make more than 200 appearances, first with fellow Madrid-based side Getafe, then with Sevilla. Stellar performances at the latter club earned him a call-up for the senior national team as well as a move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
Sarabia then featured in Spain’s European Championship 2020 and the FIFA World Cup 2022 squad, held in Qatar. A squad-best 15 goals while on loan at Sporting CP, then charted his course to Wolves, where he added 20 goal contributions in 77 appearances across two and a half seasons, building a reputation for showing up in crucial moments among the local fans.
“I have very good memories of Wolves in terms of quality of life, in terms of playing with the supporters, every single game I felt them in the stadium,” Sarabia told Wolves’ club media after confirming his departure in May.
Joining Al Arabi, who had a season to forget with a ninth-place finish last season, expectations on the attacking midfielder will be to show up and own crucial moments as the club seeks to live up to the squad’s potential next season.
Jaber departs for rivals Al Rayyan
Al Rayyan’s streak of signing promising Qatari youngsters this transfer window continued as the side officially roped in Jassim Jaber from Al Arabi on Wednesday.
Jaber, a regular in the Al Arabi squad since joining the side from Aspire Academy in 2019, joins fellow Al Arabi goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada and Al Gharafa’s Abdullah Yousef in the list of new players secured by the Lions.
The 23-year-old penned a five-year contract that will run until the end of the 2029/30 season, according to the club’s announcement.
The defensive midfielder made 102 appearances for Al Arabi and was a crucial cog in the squad that clinched the club’s first Amir Cup title in 30 years in 2023.
An AFC Asian Cup winner with Qatar in 2024, Jaber’s switch marks a move to his previous side’s arch rivals. Derby matches between Al Rayyan and Al Arabi often draw record attendances with both fan bases claiming to be the most passionate lot in Qatar.
At Al Rayyan, Jaber will be a part of a broader rebuild as Artur Jorge’s side look to improve on the back of a shaky season and a flurry of foreign players’ departures.
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