Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro is leaving Juventus to play in the United Arab Emirates for Dubai-based club Al Ahli.

The 36-year-old defender, who helped Italy to the 2006 World Cup title and will captain the team at this month’s tournament in South Africa, signed a two-year deal with the Dubai club.

The director of Al Ahli, Abdul Majid Hussein, told The Associated Press the contract was signed in Italy on Tuesday.

“He is a good player and a big name that will help us achieve our objective,” Hussein said in a phone interview on Wednesday. He declined to reveal the terms of the deal, but said Cannavaro is expected in Dubai shortly after the World Cup ends.

“Our goal is to be No. 1 locally and regionally and Cannavaro is the type of a player who will help UAE football become better,” Hussein said.

Al Ahli won the domestic league title last season but struggled in the Asian Champions League, winning only two games and failing to qualify for the knockout stage.