DUBAI // Al Wasl have moved a step closer to completing their foreign quota for next season’s Arabian Gulf League after completing the signing of Milan Susak from Sepahan, the Iranian side.

The Australian defender agreed personal terms with the Dubai club earlier this week and will be presented today at a press conference at the Zabeel Stadium.

The details of the contract will be confirmed then.

Susak, 29, has long been of interest to Wasl, who were keen to use their allocated Asian player to add experience to a defence that last season conceded almost two goals per match.

Wasl have been searching for a commanding centre-back since deciding not to extend their arrangement with Ahmed Ibrahim, the Iranian, who excelled during a six-month loan from January.

He had replaced Lucas Neill, the captain of the Australia national team.

The acquisition of Susak means the club will fill their final expatriate spot with a striker, with Abdullah Hareb, the chairman, confirming they are “very close” to finalising a deal. Wasl have identified three candidates and aim to announce the transfer within the next week.

“We wanted our Asian player to be one of the defenders because we can have the other foreign player for a more creative role, to help with the offence,” Hareb said.

“This is a very important function in the team. Now we will evaluate the options.”

The prospective signing will join as the club’s overseas contingent Mariano Donda, the fit-again Argentine midfielder, and fellow new recruits Kaio and Susak.

Kaio, the Brazilian forward, was signed earlier this month from Yokohama FC in Japan’s second division after Hareb revealed the technical committee had scouted more than 300 strikers. However, the length of contract was described only as “long-lasting”.

While Kaio may need time to adapt to his new surroundings, Susak is expected to have little problem making the transition to UAE football.

The defender spent the latter half of last season at Sepahan, where he featured in four of the Iranians’ six Asian Champions League matches. He was also part of the side who in April triumphed 2-1 against Dubai’s Al Nasr at Al Maktoum Stadium.

Previously, Susak, who is of Serbian descent, for five years represented FK Vojvodina in the Serbian SuperLiga.

Then came spells in Australia with Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar, interrupted by two seasons in Germany’s third tier.

He played 12 games for the Indonesia side Minangkabau on loan from Brisbane.

He spent 10 months from February 2012 at the Chinese Super League club Tianjin Teda.

Although he has been involved with national team training camps, Susak has never represented his country.

He is the second Australian to arrive in the Emirates this past week, following Nasr?s acquisition of Brett Holman from English Premier League club Aston Villa.

jmcauley@thenational.ae

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