Former Real Madrid forward Joselu is set to continue his career in Qatar by signing with Al-Sailiya as a free agent, MARCA reported. The 36-year-old Spanish striker has been without a club since July following a two-year stint with Al-Gharafa.
Al-Sailiya Secure Free Agent Striker to Reverse Poor Form
Joselu has reached an agreement with Al-Sailiya, pending official announcement, according to MARCA. The move ends months of speculation regarding a potential return to European football after his contract with Al-Gharafa expired in the summer, closing his options of returning to Spain for a final challenge in his sporting career at 36 years of age.
The forward held talks with several European suitors during the summer transfer window, including German clubs Eintracht and Union Berlin, alongside unnamed Spanish and Italian sides. However, none of those discussions resulted in a finalized deal, keeping the player in the Persian Gulf and leaving offers from Europe unable to leave the Asian continent.
Joselu Joins Al-Sailiya to Boost Scoring
During his two seasons with Al-Gharafa, Joselu established himself as a prominent goalscorer in the Qatar Stars League. He netted 28 goals and provided 5 assists across 58 appearances.
Al-Sailiya requires an immediate offensive spark. The club finished near the relegation zone last season—avoiding the relegation playoff by just a single point—and currently sits at the bottom of the league standings with zero points after four matches. Management hopes the veteran forward’s proven scoring record in Qatar will stabilize the squad, with the born-in-Stuttgart player continuing to live in Qatar in exchange for a lucrative contract, though the length of his signature remains unknown while he takes on the challenge of leading a team in need of a new reference point, backed by plenty of resume to assume this new challenge as a Galician.
Upon his arrival, Joselu will join a dressing room that includes former Aston Villa player Anwar El Ghazi and former Montpellier player Younes Belhanda.
Joselu Chooses Qatar over European Club Offers
Joselu spent time at Real Madrid, where he scored two goals against Bayern Munich in the 2024 UEFA Champions League semi-finals at the Santiago Bernabéu. He dazzled during his year with the Madrid side, subsequently winning La Liga and the European Cup before opting for his initial transfer to Qatar that summer.
While European clubs explored moves for the veteran this summer—including the possibility of a second stint at Eintracht or trying his luck at Union Berlin—the financial packages and operational frameworks on the continent did not materialize into formal contracts, sealing his decision to remain in Qatar for at least a few more seasons.
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