Mitch Freeley

Wesley Sneijder has revealed that he "turned down offers from everywhere" to sign for Qatari side Al Gharafa player following a free transfer from Ligue 1 side Nice.

Sneijder, 33,  has enjoyed a distinguished footballing career including stints at European giants  Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Galatasaray added that the decision to move to Qatar came about quickly.

"I had a couple of days to choose, I really wanted to play football again, and I had a good feeling from Gharafa. Everything went very fast in terms of the deal, now I am looking forward to getting started with the team."
 
The midfielder, who is currently the Netherlands most capped player with 133 appearances for the Oranje, will now be charged with reviving the fortunes of Al Gharafa, a side who sit in seventh place in the twelve-team Qatar Stars League

 "I feel very welcomed, I am happy I chose  Al Gharafa the squad is young and I am looking forward to guiding the young guys, showing my qualities playing football and helping the team" added Sneijder.  

Sources close to the player revealed that the midfielder, who represented Holland at the 2010 FIFA World Cup final had turned down offers from a number of different countries including China, Brazil, Mexico and the USA to move to Qatar.

The midfielder also stressed his need to play regular football, having only been limited to five starts for Nice whilst with his former club. "When you don't play you are disappointed, that's life sometimes the coach makes all the choices and the system is different and you cannot adapt to the system. I forget it, this is a new story, a new page."

"In football, you never know, you can never say this will be my last contract. Maybe in one and a half year, I will feel better than ever, you don't know but we will see, we have to be realistic as well I am not the youngest anymore but I still feel good so I want to play as long as possible" added Sneijder when asked about his 18-month deal being his last contract as a player. 

Al Gharafa will be hoping that their star signing will be available for their Friday match against QSL side Al Ahli