DUBAI // Al Nasr have now completed the signing of Ibrahima Toure from Monaco, the French Ligue 1 club, on a permanent contract.
The Senegalese striker, 27, has long been linked with a return to the UAE – he spent a prolific six months in 2011 with Ajman – and finally agreed to the deal to become Nasr's second major acquisition of the summer.
Brett Holman, the Australian international, joined the club in June from Aston Villa, the English Premier League side.
Toure will be expected to form a successful partnership with Holman during the upcoming 2013/14 Arabian Gulf League campaign, as Nasr look to improve on last season's disappointing sixth-place finish.
“We are very happy to have him,” said Ahmed Khouri, the Nasr vice-chairman, who travelled to Paris to conclude the transfer. “There were long, long negotiations to get Toure here, but we’re really excited and delighted to have him on board. He will add a lot of value to the club.”
Although details of the contract have yet to be disclosed, the addition of Toure represents a significant coup for Nasr, given the frontman provided the goals that helped secure Monaco’s recent return to the French top flight.
Nasr remain in the market for another striker and could announce a deal as early as Wednesday night.
Peter Odemwingie, the West Bromwich Albion forward, was thought to be most likely recruit, however doubts have arisen regarding the English Premier League side's willingness to let him leave.