Italy captain Cannavaro joins UAE champions Al Ahli

MILAN (Reuters) -- Italy's World Cup captain Fabio Cannavaro has signed a two-year deal with Al Ahli, the United Arab Emirates champions said on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old defender, who has 132 caps, will move from Juventus to Dubai after the June 11-July 11 World Cup in South Africa. Chairman Abdullah Al Naboodah told the club's website (www.alahliclub.ae): "We have signed a contract with 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro for two years. "This deal with a player like Cannavaro is one of the most important deals for us because he's a player with great experience and talent. He is also one of the best defenders in the world."

Cannavaro's previous clubs include Napoli, Parma, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. Although his experience will be valued by his new club, as a player in Serie A this season he has been a shadow of the centre back who was the bedrock of Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph. Many Azzurri fans believed the former world player of the year should not even be at the 2010 World Cup.