Al Hamriyah have moved to strengthen their squad by signing Rashid Essa, a midfielder with experience across seven UAE clubs and the national team. The 36-year-old joins on a contract through the end of the 2026-2027 season, underlining the club's intent to push for promotion from the First Division.
Essa started his career at Al Wasl before moving to Al Ain in 2015 for two seasons. He later played for Al Nasr, Khorfakkan, and Hatta, where he helped the team reach the Adnoc Pro League three seasons ago. Most recently, he spent two years at Al Arabi, where his performances drew the attention of Al Hamriyah's management.
- Sofascore; DAZN
Essa joins a squad that already includes goalkeeper Majed Naser and former Al Ain player Sultan Al Shamsi. The club is aiming for its first-ever promotion to the UAE's top division. Essa's background with the national team brings added tactical awareness and composure, qualities that could be important in high-pressure matches.
In his first comments as an Al Hamriyah player, Essa said he was pleased to join the club and determined to meet the expectations of both management and fans. "I am happy to wear the Al Hamriyah shirt and join 'Anabi Al Hawa'. I hope to live up to the trust placed in me and deliver performances worthy of that confidence," he said. He also spoke about his readiness to keep contributing on the pitch for several more seasons, hoping to help the club make history with his teammates.
Al Hamriyah have previously signed experienced players like Faisal Khalil and Ismail Al Hammadi, both former Shabab Al Ahli players, showing a consistent focus on leadership and experience. This approach reflects a wider trend in UAE football, where clubs are turning to seasoned professionals to help close the gap between ambition and results, as reported earlier in the league's approach to set-piece specialists.
- Sofascore (Sports Data Aggregator)
Essa's arrival adds a player with both domestic and international experience to Al Hamriyah's squad. The club has assembled a group with a mix of ambition and leadership, giving them a real chance to compete for promotion. If the team can translate that experience into results, Al Hamriyah could be on the verge of reaching the UAE Pro League for the first time.
