Desailly signs deal with Qatari club

Doha:

Former France captain Marcel Desailly, the country's most-capped player, has signed a one-year contract to play for Qatari club Al-Ittihad. Desailly, a 35-year-old defender who made 116 appearances for France, travelled to the tiny Gulf state to sign the deal on Sunday. Financial terms were not revealed. "I am happy to have made this decision," Desailly said. "In recent months, I was approached by a few clubs in Doha, but I made my decision to play here just recently. I think I can settle here quite easily." Other big-name players that have played in Qatar include Franck Leboeuf, Gabriel Batistuta, brothers Frank and Ronald de Boer, Stefan Effenberg and Mario Basler. Earlier last month, Desailly turned down an offer to transfer to Scottish Premier League champion Celtic. Desailly, who was born in Ghana, has played for Chelsea, Nantes, Marseille and AC Milan. He also helped France win the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship. (AP)