Baniyas complete deal for Michiel Kramer, Eredivisie’s third leading scorer

Baniyas have completed the signing of Michiel Kramer from Dutch outfit ADO Den Haag, subject to a medical.

The Dutch striker arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday morning to agree the finer points on what is expected to be a three-year deal. He will undergo a medical later Monday before being presented to the media later this week.

Kramer, 26, was the third highest scorer in last season’s Eredivise, netting 17 goals in the Dutch top flight to reportedly attract interest from several clubs, including those in the English Championship and in Kazakhstan.

However, Kramer told Dutch newspapers earlier this week that the financial package offered by Baniyas was something he “could not pass up”. The transfer fee is reported to be around €1.5 million (Dh6.1m).

Kramer becomes Baniyas’ second foreign signing of the summer, following the capital club’s acquisition last month of Mark Milligan, the Australia international midfielder. Kramer takes the place of Denis Stracqualursi, the forward who was released alongside Imad Khalili at the conclusion of the 2014/15 season. Baniyas finished that campaign eighth in the league table.

Angel Dealbert, the Spanish defender, has also not been retained, while the club are deciding whether to keep playmaker Joan Verdu.

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jmcauley@thenational.ae

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