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Gulf United FC

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Gulf United Football Club (Arabic: نادي جلف يونايتد لكرة القدم) is an Emirati professional football club that started as an academy in Dubai. They currently play in the UAE First Division League, after achieving back-to-back promotions from the UAE Third Division and UAE Second Division in the 2022 and 2023.[1] It is known for developing and nurturing young talent with a focus on long term development.

Gulf United
The People's Club
Full nameGulf United Football Club
NicknameThe Eagles
Founded2019; 7 years ago (2019)
GroundJA Sports and Shooting Club & Kings Al Barsha
ChairmanAhmed Hamada
ManagerAndrés Iniesta
LeagueUAE First Division League
2024–25UAE Division 1, 10th
Websitewww.gulfunitedfc.com
Current season

History

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Founding

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In 2019, Gulf United was founded in Dubai by Mo Jarad and brothers Conor Shiels and Jordi Shiels. The Shiels brothers and Jarad, originally from Manchester, brought a vision of building a professional-standard football academy that would be open to players of all backgrounds and nationalities. The club operates under a joint British and Emirati ownership model, a structure that has been central to its growth and integration within UAE football. Club President Ahmed Hamada has played a key role in developing Gulf United's relationships within the UAE football landscape.

The club has since become one of the market leaders in football development in the UAE, with youth teams from ages 4–23, as well as a professional first team. Gulf United brings expert coaches from around the world to Dubai and describes itself as "The Home of Youth Development", a philosophy that drives both its academy programme and its approach to professional football.

UAE Third Division

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In the 2021–22 season, Gulf United entered the UAE Third Division, a league that allows privately owned clubs and academies to join the UAE Football Pyramid.[2] Soon after Steven Taylor was announced as the manager.[3][4][5]

The 2021-22 UAE Third Division Season was formatted as two groups, where the winner of each group would face the runner-up of the other group in a play-off for promotion. Gulf United went unbeaten in the group stages finishing first in Group A. They faced Abtal Al Khaeej in the semi-final's, which was in a home & away format. Gulf United lost the first leg 1–0, and won the second leg 2–0, officially securing promotion to the UAE Second Division.

Gulf United then faced Group B winners Fleetwood United in the UAE Third Division final and were crowned eventual champions of the Third Division after beating Fleetwood United, sister club of Fleetwood Town 3–1 in the final of the inaugural season, with 2 goals from Cédrick Nana and 1 from Bonet Bobai, cementing them as UAE Third Division Champions.[6][7]

UAE Second Division

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The 2022–23 season was the clubs first in the UAE Second Division. The squad was strengthened with signings such as Devonte Redmond, Soheil Varahram and Max Johnstone as well as further signings in the January transfer window with former Real Madrid player Mink Peeters and former Celtic & Norwich City striker Gary Hooper.

After drawing their first game, Gulf United went on to win 5 games in a row, going into the Christmas period at the top of the league.[8]

Gulf United went on to be crowned the champions of the 2022-23 UAE Second Division, and winning promotion to UAE First Division and making history by achieving the first ever back-to-back promotion in the history of UAE Football.[9] The back-to-back Championships were led by the club captain, and now a Director at the Club, Jack Shiels, who continued as club captain into the UAE First Division.

UAE First Division

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After completing the first back to back promotion in UAE football, Gulf United were promoted to the UAE First Division for the 2023–24 season.[10] The previous campaign had seen both promoted clubs from the UAE Second Division, Fursan Hispana and Baynounah, relegated immediately, highlighting the scale of the step up to second tier level.[11]

Ahead of the season, the club appointed former professional footballer Neil Taylor as first team manager, a role he combined with his position as assistant coach of the Wales under 21 national team.[12] Gulf United also broke their transfer record with the signing of Scottish striker Josh Fowler.[13]

In their debut UAE First Division campaign, Gulf United finished 15th, securing survival comfortably and ending the season clear of the relegation places.[14] The campaign established the club at second tier level and provided several academy players with their first experience of senior professional football. Taylor departed at the conclusion of the season and subsequently took charge of Al Jazira’s under 21 side.[15]

During the 2024–25 season, Gulf United recorded further progress under new manager Richard Peniket, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, who had previously led Gulf United "B" in the UAE Third Division.[16] The team finished 10th in the 18 team league, representing a five place improvement on their debut campaign.[17] Notable results during the season included victories against eventual champions Al Dhafra, as well as Emirates, United FC and Masfout.[18] Dutch forward Lars Veldwijk joined during the January transfer window and scored 14 goals in 12 appearances, contributing to a strong finish to the campaign.

Following the season, 16 first team players secured transfers to clubs in the UAE Pro League or UAE First Division, a club record. The improved league position consolidated Gulf United’s status in the division and increased its profile within Emirati professional football.

Ahead of the 2025–26 season, Gulf United appointed former Real Madrid academy coach Davi Iglesias Niño as first team manager.[19] The club undertook a significant recruitment drive, signing Guinean centre back Julian Jeanvier from Kayserispor and Dutch midfielder Leroy Fer from Al Nasr in September 2025.[20] Brazilian forward Weberty joined from Al Bataeh, along with Zambian under 20 international Emmanuel Mutale and former West Ham United academy graduate Archie Woods.[21] In January 2026, the squad was further strengthened with the signing of Swedish international Robin Quaison and a managerial change to Ahmet Cebe who successfully kept the club in the UAE First Division for the third year in a row.

International friendlies

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The club regularly plays in exhibition matches against global opponents showcasing the clubs young talent. In January 2022, Gulf United played with 7-time Slovak First Football League winners MŠK Žilina.[22] In February 2022, Gulf United played a friendly fixture against Riga FC,[23] a game in which Gulf United player Manyumow Achol was subsequently scouted and signed for FK Auda.[24][25]

Gulf United also played Premier League side Newcastle United in a friendly match at NAS Sports Complex on the 24 March 2022,[26] in which Newcastle won 5–0 with goals from Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton and Dwight Gayle.[27][28]

On 6 January 2023, Gulf United played a friendly against Al Ain FC, the 21-22 UAE Pro League defending champions, and who are widely recognised as being the most successful club in the UAE. The match ended 1–0 to Al Ain FC with a goal scored by UAE international Bandar Al-Ahbabi.[29]

The club faced Al-Ittihad Club in a friendly match on 18 December 2024, losing 1–0. They met again in a separate friendly on 14 December 2025. The Saudi side, who went on to win the Saudi Pro League, featured several high-profile players including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, Fabinho, Danilo Pereira, Steven Bergwijn and Houssem Aouar, among others.[30]

Gulf United have also faced various national teams in friendly fixtures. In June 2022, the club played against the Australia men's national soccer team in a competitive match, which ended 3–1 in favour of the Socceroos.[31] The club also faced the United Arab Emirates national football team on two occasions, in June 2025 and again in April 2026. [32]

Academy and Player Development

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Central to Gulf United's identity is its academy, which operates under the motto "The Home of Youth Development". The academy caters to players aged 4–23 across 23 teams and more than 83 nationalities, and is regarded as one of the most internationally diverse football programmes in the Middle East.[33]

Gulf United is the #1 football scholarship provider in the MENA region, with over 100 scholars placed into university programmes in the United States and Canada. The club maintains partnerships with coaches and institutions across all scholarship divisions, offering a complete player pathway from grassroots football to professional level and higher education opportunities abroad.[34]

"The People's Club"

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Gulf United has cultivated a strong community identity, being widely referred to as "The People's Club" within the UAE football landscape. The ethos reflects the club's founding belief that professional-standard football development should be accessible to players from all backgrounds and nationalities. With over 83 nationalities represented across its academy and first team, the club embodies a model of football that is international in reach but rooted in the Dubai community.[35]

Media and partnerships

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In September 2021, Gulf United signed a deal with Adidas[36][37] , making them the first grassroots football academy in the Middle East to partner with the brand.[38] In November 2021, they built the region's first floating football pitch at the #NoFilterDXB event in Dubai Harbour, Dubai,[39][40][41] which drew regional and global attention after featuring in a video by the Sidemen. [42]

In December 2021, Zinedine Zidane visited Gulf United as part of the “Impossible Is Nothing” campaign.[43]

As part of its partnership with Adidas, Gulf United has been involved in several global brand activations. The club activated the Adidas zone at the official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 BudX Fan Festival, which hosted up to 10,000 visitors per day and featured appearances from former players including Kaká, Iker Casillas and rappers Kano and Freek. [44][45]The club also participated in the launch campaign for the Adidas “Al Rihla” match ball, which included a projection on the Burj Khalifa featuring Karim Benzema.[46] Gulf United has further been involved in multiple Adidas boot launch campaigns and grassroots marketing initiatives linked to the brand.

Gulf United also maintains a partnership with Volkswagen, [47] centred around grassroots football development. As part of this collaboration, the club launched the Volkswagen Cup, a community-focused football festival designed to prioritise participation and inclusivity over competition. First introduced in 2024 with approximately 700 participants, the event expanded significantly by 2026, attracting over 2,500 attendees and more than 97 teams, becoming one of the most prominent grassroots tournaments in the region. [48]

The club has also developed international relationships with Arsenal F.C., including collaborative activities such as coaching sessions delivered by Arsenal staff and media engagements involving Arsenal players and Gulf United youth players.[49][50]

In addition to its principal partners, Gulf United has held active sponsorship agreements with WOW Hydrate, Rasasi and Generaltec, supporting various club initiatives, activations and community programmes.

'We are Gulf United' is a YouTube docuseries which followed the club in their first season in the UAE Third Division season. Debuted on the 1st April 2022, the series has amassed over 2,000,000 views.[51][38]

Managerial history

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First Team Managers
Dates Names
2021-2023 England Steven Taylor
2023-2024 Wales Neil Taylor
2024-2025 England Richard Peniket
2025-2026 Spain David Iglesias
2026 Germany Ahmet Cebe
2026- Spain Andrés Iniesta

Squad

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As of 20th May 2026[52]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  SYR Abdullah Al-Okla
3 MF  GHA Kofi Kissi
6 MF  ENG Archie Woods
7 FW  SWE Robin Quaison
8 MF  NED Leroy Fer
9 FW  ZAM Enock Sakala
10 MF  CMR John Nchindo
11 MF  BRA Weberty Silva
12 GK  UAE Ali Al-Kaabi
13 GK  SDN Ahmed Zain
14 FW  ESP Pablo Gomez (U19)
15 MF  ALG Lotfi Machou
17 MF  SYR Qais Al-Safadi (U19)
18 MF  UAE Rashed Oyoun
19 MF  SYR Abdullah Bashammakh (U21)
20 MF  UAE Saeed Al-Abdouli
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 GK  UAE Masoud Al-Mansouri (U21)
22 MF  UAE Khalid Ghuloom
23 DF  EGY Mahmoud Saber
24 GK  ENG Oscar Kelly
26 MF  ENG Miles Fenton
64 MF  AUS Xavier Dalpra (U19)
74 FW  ZAM Emmanuel Mutale (U21)
77 MF  MAR El Mehdi El Khamlichi
81 DF  BUL Faris Al-Jamali (U19)
87 MF  HKG Jun-Hei Ryan Fok (U19)
88 MF  MOZ Mario Zacarias (U21)
92 FW  SVK Samuel El Khoury
96 DF  IRQ Ibrahim Al-Shammari (U21)
98 DF  UAE Matar Al-Dowais (U21)
99 MF  EGY Hassan Sameh

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  CMR Cédrick Nana (on loan to United)

Honours

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ جلف يوناتيد يُتوج بطلاُ للنسخة الأولى من دوري الدرجة الثالثة. UAE Football Association (in Arabic). Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  2. ↑ قطار "دوري الدرجة الثالثة" يصل محطة "الجولة 8". UAE Football Association (in Arabic). Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  3. ↑ Rollo, Phillip (2022-01-28). "Former Phoenix captain Steven Taylor begins coaching career in the Middle East". Stuff. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  4. ↑ English Players Abroad [@EnglishAbroad1] (23 January 2022). "🇦🇪 #NUFC stalwart Steven Taylor has been announced as the new first team manager of Gulf United FC. The club describe themselves as the "UAE's leading academy for young footballers." The men's team play in the 3rd tier. The moves comes after Taylor retired back in September. https://t.co/NPONl2wsnm" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  5. ↑ Rollo, Phillip [@ByPhillipRollo] (22 January 2022). "Former Wellington Phoenix defender Steven Taylor has been announced as the manager of Gulf United, a top academy in the United Arab Emirates that is set to enter a team in the country's 3rd division this season" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ ""Gulf United" Is The Champion Of The First Edition Of The Third Division". thenewsglory.com. 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  7. ↑ جلف يوناتيد بطل «دوري الثالثة». AD Sports (in Arabic). Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  8. ↑ UAE FA. "UAE FA Second Division Match Results".
  9. ↑ "Gulf United win UAE Second Division title". gulfnews.com. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  10. ↑ "UAE First Division League 2023–24". United Arab Emirates Football Association. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  11. ↑ "UAE First Division League 2022–23 Final Standings". United Arab Emirates Football Association. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  12. ↑ "Neil Taylor appointed Gulf United manager". The National. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  13. ↑ "Gulf United sign Josh Fowler". Gulf United FC. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  14. ↑ "UAE First Division League 2023–24 Table". United Arab Emirates Football Association. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  15. ↑ "Neil Taylor joins Al Jazira U21". Al Jazira Club. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  16. ↑ "Richard Peniket appointed Gulf United manager". Gulf United FC. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  17. ↑ "UAE First Division League 2024–25 Table". United Arab Emirates Football Association. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  18. ↑ "First Division Match Reports 2024–25". United Arab Emirates Football Association. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  19. ↑ "Davi Iglesias Niño appointed Gulf United manager". Gulf United FC. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  20. ↑ "Gulf United complete Jeanvier and Fer signings". The National. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  21. ↑ "Gulf United announce multiple signings". Gulf United FC. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  22. ↑ "In the second match on Sunday, the first win in preparation against the home Gulf FC". MŠK Žilina. 23 January 2022.
  23. ↑ "Third victory in Dubai". Riga FC. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  24. ↑ Wellington Phoenix Academy [@WgtnPhoenixAcad] (15 March 2022). "The Academy is delighted to announce that graduate Manyumow Achol has signed his first professional contract with FK Auda in Latvia. This comes after a brief but successful stint with Gulf United in Dubai. Congratulations to Manny who has worked so hard for this opportunity. https://t.co/75DaVpI1Ix" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  25. ↑ UAE Football Media [@UAEfootMedia] (6 May 2022). "How is the @uaefa_ae 3rd Division competitive environment and Gulf United FC's toughest opponent this season? Steven Taylor - @NUFC & @England was on the @uaefootballshow and told us all about it https://t.co/CcCZxIDWf2 #UAEFootballShow Watch it here: https://t.co/C6dor7KpKk https://t.co/aOaautw7SW" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  26. ↑ Dixon, Joe (2022-03-24). "Newcastle United end Dubai warm weather trip with five goal friendly win". NUFC The Mag. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  27. ↑ Ryder, Lee (2022-03-24). "Newcastle end week in Dubai with rout of locals as Gayle and Saint-Maximin score". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  28. ↑ "Newcastle win 5–0 against Gulf United in behind closed doors friendly". Geordie Boot Boys. 2022-03-24. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  29. ↑ Al Ain FC [@alainfcae_en] (6 January 2023). "End of the Friendly Match @alainfcae 1 and Gulf United FC 0 Al Ain Goal Scored By @bandar_a70 #alainclub https://t.co/9zhlpkyhKn" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  30. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  31. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  32. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  33. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  34. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  35. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
  36. ↑ "Gulf United F.C. on Instagram: "🚨 Thrilled to announce Gulf United FC x @adidasmena ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Big things coming… ⚽️⏳ #TheNextGen #ImpossibleIsNothing"". Instagram. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  37. ↑ "adidas MENA on Instagram: ". الجيل القادم جاهز للانطلاق. Next gen pending ⚽⏳ @gulfunitedfc"". Instagram. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  38. 1 2 THE FINAL - ALL TO PLAY FOR - GULF UNITED vs FLEETWOOD - 'We are Gulf United' - Episode 13. Gulf United FC. 7 August 2022. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022 – via YouTube.
  39. ↑ NOFILTERDXB [@NOFILTERDXB] (23 November 2021). "#NoFilterDXB x @adidas and Gulf United Football Club The region's first floating football pitch and so much more are coming your way at #NOFILTERDXB. Be there to witness amazing games, running tournaments with Gulf United Football Club and join in on all the fun. https://t.co/ZwBwPBjK5o" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  40. ↑ "What to expect at #NoFilterDXB this weekend". What's On. 2021-11-24. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  41. ↑ uaenews247 (2021-10-27). "ADIDAS KICKS OFF DUBAI FITNESS CHALLENGE". UAE News 24/7. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2022-10-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  42. ↑ SIDEMEN $100,000 HOT VS COLD HOLIDAY. Sidemen. 12 December 2021. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022 – via YouTube.
  43. ↑ "A football legend comes to Gulf United with Adidas DXB Play to change the game. Not just to win it. Zindine Zidane #ImpossibleIsNothing | By Gulf United | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  44. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  45. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  46. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  47. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  48. ↑ FC, Gulf United. "Gulf United FC | Dubai Football Academy | Ages 4-23 | UAE's Leading Club". Gulf United FC. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  49. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  50. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  51. ↑ "Gulf United FC - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  52. ↑ "Gulf United". UAE Football Association.
  53. ↑ "UAE Football Association: GULF UNITED CROWNED CHAMPION OF THE FIRST EDITION OF THE THIRD DIVISION". uaefa.ae. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  54. ↑ البيان), (دبي- (27 May 2022). ""غلف يونايتد" بطل النسخة الأولى لدوري الدرجة الثالثة". albayan.ae (in Arabic). Retrieved 2022-07-18.
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