Valentino Lazaro moves on a free transfer from Turin to the Emirates to join Al-Ain

Stops in a career full of changes

During his career so far, Lazaro has played for, among others, Red Bull Salzburg, Hertha BSC, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Inter Milan, Newcastle United and Benfica Lisbon, before heading to Turin. The 30-year-old right winger, who can also be deployed as a full-back, thus brings experience from several European top leagues with him to the desert.

At Al-Ain FC, coached by manager Vladimir Ivic and with a squad of 29 players, Lazaro meets an old acquaintance: in former Wolfsberger Adis Jasic (23), he has an Austrian teammate alongside him in compatriot Adis Jasic (23), a player who has played most of the matches in his career as a right-back or in right midfield. The total market value of the Al-Ain squad stands at €34.13 million.

Reunion with a compatriot

The move means a clear turning point in Lazaro's international career. He will no longer be considered for the Austrian national team, whose squad he last belonged to in 2022 — and will not take part in the 2026 World Cup. In total, the winger has 36 appearances for the ÖFB team; his last appearance in national team colours was around four years ago.

At FC Turin, where head coach Ignazio Abate oversees a squad of 26 players, a chapter in Serie A ends for Lazaro after four years. The total value of the Turin squad is put at €106.90 million, and the club's last recorded transfer was Sandro Kulenović. Lazaro thus leaves the club as a free departure.

National team and 2026 World Cup without Lazaro

Al-Ain FC, whose last recorded transfer was Rafa Rodrigues, is one of the most traditional clubs in the region and has won the AFC Champions League twice. With the signing of the experienced Lazaro, who played in Europe both in the Bundesliga, the Premier League and Serie A, the club gains a versatile wide player with Champions League experience from Benfica Lisbon.

From the player's perspective, the focus in Abu Dhabi is above all on the sporting perspective, after another national team call-up is no longer on the table. With his signing in the UAE Pro League, a new chapter begins for the 30-year-old, born on 24 March 1996, away from top-level European football.