Al Wasl Football Club has announced the signing of defender Kurt Zuma on a free transfer, with the player registered in the list of foreign players for the team's external competitions.
The arrival of the French player to the 'Emperor' comes at a crucial time, as the team prepares to face Saudi Al-Nasr next Tuesday in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League 2, amid a defensive crisis caused by the injury of Brazilian Adrielson. The absence of Moroccan Sofyan Boufteni after his red card against the Iraqi Al-Zawra has also been confirmed, which prompted the management to quickly strengthen the back line with a player who has experience and solidity in major matches.
Zuma is a well-known name in European football, having started his career with French Saint-Étienne and attracting attention early with his physical abilities. He later moved to Chelsea, where he won several titles, and then had important experiences in the English league with Everton and West Ham United.
Throughout his career, he has been known for his strength in aerial duels, his solidity in one-on-one battles, and his leadership on the field.
Al Wasl is counting on the player's experience to compensate for the impactful absences and restore balance to the defensive system before the upcoming continental test. The match against Al-Nasr requires high focus and strict defensive organization, which Zuma can provide with his presence and experience in handling pressure and knockout matches.
On the other hand, it has been learned that Moroccan defender Adam Massina is also a candidate to join Al Wasl on a free transfer, and will also be registered with Zuma in the list of foreign players for external competitions.
Massina is one of the Moroccan defenders who has built a stable professional career in Europe, playing as a left-back and known for his physical strength, tactical discipline, and ability to support the attack while performing his defensive duties.
Born in 1994 in the Moroccan city of Khemisset, he moved to Italy as a child, progressing through the youth ranks until joining Bologna. There, he began to attract attention with his consistent performances, contributing to the team's promotion to Serie A, where he established himself for several seasons.
In 2018, he had a new experience in England with Watford, participating in strong competitions and gaining significant experience in the English football atmosphere, both in the Premier League and the Championship, offering defensive consistency that made him an important element in the team's formation. He then returned to the Italian league through Udinese, continuing his journey in Serie A and enhancing his experience in one of the most prominent tactical schools in Europe.
Internationally, Massina chose to represent the Moroccan national team after previously playing for Italy's youth teams, becoming one of the defensive options for the 'Atlas Lions' in official competitions.
