Michael Olunga gets boost as Al Duhail complete transfer of Brazilian ace Philippe Coutinho

© Al Duhail.

FOOTBALL Michael Olunga gets boost as Al Duhail complete transfer of Brazilian ace Philippe Coutinho

Joel Omotto 08:29 - 09.09.2023

The Harambee Stars captain will link up with the former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder who has moved to Qatar from Aston Villa

Michael Olunga will lining up alongside former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho after Al Duhail signed the Brazilian midfielder on loan from Aston Villa on Friday.

Al Duhail confirmed the major coup and unveiled the midfielder who will be with the Qatar champions at least for the next one year after swapping the Premier League for the Qatar Stars League.

“As part of the club’s efforts to strengthen the first football team, Al Duhail Club management was able to gain the services of the Brazilian and Aston Villa star, Philippe Coutinho, born in 1992, for one season on loan, and the player signed his transfer contract in front of Mr Khalifa Khamis, Al Duhail Club Vice President,” Al Duhail said via a club statement.

“Coutinho is considered one of the distinguished players after he succeeded in making his mark during his previous professional experiences, and his joining the team is a great asset ahead of entering the AFC Champions League fixtures.

“The player had professional experiences with the following clubs: Vasco da Gama, Inter Milan, Espanyol, Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Aston Villa.”

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Al Duhail will cover Coutinho’s salary during the loan spell following the move that marks a shift in the career of the former Barcelona and Liverpool player.

At 31 years old, Coutinho has been a notable figure in the football world, renowned for his skills on the field and his ability to make a difference in crucial matches.

An attacking midfielder with an eye for goal and good at creating chances for his teammates, Coutinho and Olunga will likely form a great partnership at Al Duhail with the Kenyan striker benefiting immensely from his creativity.

Coutinho likes to play in the No10 role just behind the striker and can also be deployed out wide.

Since joining Villa initially on a loan deal in January 2021, Coutinho has scored six goals in 64 Premier League games but has recently fallen down the pecking order under coach Unai Emery.