Dubai dream comes true for Wolverhampton footballer Jai Verma
A footballer from Wolverhampton is celebrating after becoming the first player from the UK to sign a professional contract with a team in Dubai.
Wolverhampton-born Jai Verma, 23, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al Shabab Football Club.
Verma flew out to Dubai for a trail with the club earlier this year after being scouted while playing a match for Forest Cavaliers.
He said: "The trial was fine; it was hard and was far more competitive than I thought it would be. But my skills and performance lead me to get offered a contract for the club.
"I signed for £300,000 and I'm more than chuffed with that, I never thought I'd sign for a high-rank position. My parents were thrilled when I told them I'd got through.
"I'd had a few talks with a few clubs in the past but nothing was coming towards playing on a semi-pro level and moving to a different country.
"The whole experience has just been amazing and I'm just adapting to the culture, it's all phenomenal."
Speaking about becoming the first UK player to sign a contract in Dubai, Verma added: "To make it as the first one from the country I think I feel like I've made it in life, I'm successful.
"Hopefully I've got people that will follow in my footsteps and just learn to put their heart into every game.
"I think you need to expect the unexpected and learn that although the work never stops, the hard work always pays off.
"Representing Wolverhampton is amazing for me too."
Verma, originally from Park Village, is yet to play his first league match for the team but has been training and playing friendlies.
"It's a big squad so I've met a few players and trained with them," he said.
"I get along with them really well, it's all been phenomenal they are a good team.
"At the moment I'm just training with the them and focusing on my performance.
"The training schedule is high so I don't really get much time off, the weather has been hard to adapt to aswell, it's very up and down at the moment with temperatures.
"I think the club like the fact that I've been performing, every training session has been on point for me.
"With the Forest Cavaliers I have been nearly scoring every goal and I want to bring that form with me over to Dubai."
Al Shabab are the highest-ranking football club based in the UAE and play in the United Arab Emirates Arabian Gulf League.
