Australia skipper Lucas Neill has revealed his move to Al Jazira is all part of his plan to be fit and healthy for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Neill, who will be 36 by the time the Brazil tournament comes around, is expected to officially sign a one-year deal with the UAE champions on Monday after being released by Turkish club Galatasaray earlier in the European summer.
With the World Cup still three years away, the move could be seen as a poor option particularly given Neill said previously he wanted to join a top-level European club after leaving Galatasaray.
However, Neill told The Sunday Age he was thinking about the 2014 World Cup when he decided to join Al Jazira.
I have a three-year plan and, all going well, possibly a year bonus in international football, Neill said.
In order to play out that plan I needed to pick an offer that was good for my family, good for my body while also competitive so that I could give my best for Australia in the coming years as captain, so we can qualify for the World Cup and so that I can lead (the Socceroos) in 2014.
He added: I ll be much closer to Australia, and much closer to the qualifying games in Asia in the coming months and coming years.
I just think the less travel, still playing in competitive games and having so many international games is a great balance for me and my body.
Neill said he understood there would be differing opinions on his decision to move to the UAE Pro-League but said he had consulted with Socceroos coach Holger Osieck when making his choice.
Ultimately football is about opinion and everyone is entitled to one, just as I am, he said. My opinion, however, is the one that counts [here] and my family is well and truly behind me.
I have spoken to the national team manager [Osieck] about my three-year plan and the nature of that discussion will remain between he and I and the only other opinion I need to worry about is that of my domestic coach and justifying my signing.
For the rest all I can ask is that they judge me on my performance when I play. I ve ticked all the boxes for experience in Europe, playing in the Premier League and on the World Cup stage. Now, for me, it is about getting the most out of myself, for my club and my country.
