Syria’s Diab makes move to Iraqi Premier League

Syrian midfielder Ali Diab has confirmed he has signed a transfer deal to join Iraqi club Naft al-Janoob, currently fourth in the league. The new contract will run until the end of the 2012-2013 season. A prospective transfer to a club in Thailand reportedly fell through before the Iraqi move was put to paper. Diab will be the second Syrian player at Naft al-Janoob, after Moayad Ajan joined the squad recently. "I really wanted to sign with Naft al-Janoob as soon as I received the offer,” Diab told reporters. “I’m thrilled, particularly because there’s about 15 Syrians playing in Iraq now.” “It’s a strong league and having Egyptian players is bound to make it even stronger,” he said.