AFC Champions League: five new signings expected to make an impact
East Asian teams are preparing for the AFC Champions League in Qatar, with new signings that could make a difference in the competition.
The AFC Champions League east region is to resume in Qatar this month after the participant teams reinforced their squads with new signings.
The Asian Football Confederation's official website has shed light on some of the new signings that are expected to make a difference and help their teams go far in the competition.
Ki Sung-yueng:
The South Korean Ki Sung-yueng has returned to his old club FC Seoul after a successful spell in Europe where he played for Celtic, Swansea City, Sunderland, and Newcastle United. The 31-year-old will feature in the ACL for the first time in more than a decade as he participated in the 2009 edition when his team made it to the quarter-finals of the tournament. Ki Sung-yueng had played for Seoul between 2006 and 2009, scoring seven goals in 64 games.
Aaron Mooy:
The ACL will witness the existence of another returnee as Shanghai SIPG managed to sign the Australian Aaron Mooy after his time in England - where he played for Huddersfield Town and Brighton Albion - came to an end.
The 30-year-old playmaker isn't new to the Asian competition as he already participated in the 2014 ACL when he wore the kit of Australian club Western Sydney Wanderers. Mooy is known for his great vision and brilliant passing abilities. The Australian is expected to form a fiery attacking partnership along with the Brazilians Hulk, Oscar and Ricardo Lopes.
Modou Barrow:
Despite joining Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors last June, Mo Barrow has played a very significant role in his team winning the South Korean league title. The 27-year-old Gambian winger led his team to a crucial 1-0 victory in the penultimate round of the league, sending Jeonbuk Hyundai to the top of the table before they were crowned champions for a record eighth time.
Callum McManaman:
Melbourne Victory boosted their squad by signing the English winger Callum McManaman from Luton Town. The 29-year-old has played for several English clubs and managed to win the FA Cup during his time at Wigan Athletic in 2013, after delivering a great performance against Man City in the final.
Melbourne coach Grant Brebner is expecting a lot from McManaman, explaining that he is an experienced player who represents a great boost to the squad. Brebner thinks that besides being a talented player, Callum also has a sense of leadership and the desire to win.
Jajá Coelho:
Thailand champions Chiangrai United have reinforced their squad by signing the Brazilian striker Jackson Avelino Coelho, commonly known as Jajá Coelho, who has a long history in the Thai league as he managed to score 34 goals in 34 games back in 2017. The Brazilian 34-year-old has great physical abilities in addition to being a great finisher who knows how to find the back of the net.