Soccer-Portuguese goalkeeper Patricio joins Al-Ain for Club World Cup
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Serie A - Hellas Verona v Atalanta - Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, Verona, Italy - February 8, 2025 Atalanta's Rui Patricio during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Alberto Lingria/File photo
(Reuters) -Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio will join Al-Ain on a short-term contract for the Club World Cup, the team from the United Arab Emirates said on Saturday.
"Al-Ain has signed Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio to participate with the team in the 2025 Club World Cup," the club said on X about the 37-year-old Portugal international who is joining them from Atalanta.
"Patricio will arrive to the United Arab Emirates tomorrow evening to undergo medical tests and join the first-team training," Al-Ain added.
Patricio played 108 matches for Portugal, helping them win Euro 2016, and has had spells with Sporting Lisbon, Wolverhampton Wanderers and AS Roma.
Al-Ain, who won the AFC Champions League title in 2024, reached the final of the 2018 Club World Cup final in front of their home fans.
This year's revamped 32-team tournament will take place in the United States in June and July.
Al Ain have been drawn inGroup G withJuventus,Manchester Cityand Morocco's Wydade.
FIFA opened an exceptional transfer window from June 1-10 to allow players to be signed for the tournament.
(Reporting by Ashraf Hamed Atta, editing by Ed Osmond)
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