Al-Wasl Club in the UAE officially announced today, Sunday, the appointment of Frenchman Eric Abidal as the club's Sporting Director.

According to the statement, this move comes as part of the club's efforts to enhance its sports management structure, where Abidal will take on responsibilities for sports planning and management, developing youth categories and the club's academy, coordinating with the board of directors in attracting sports talents, and contributing to representing the club in press conferences and local and international sports meetings.

Abidal previously served as the sporting director at FC Barcelona, where he also played, and has played for the French national team as well as clubs such as Monaco, Lille, Lyon, and Olympiacos in Greece.