A club that started only three years ago is quickly becoming a surprising new home for former Premier League players.
With a total of 713 Premier League games between them, four well-known English footballers are now part of an exciting project with UAE team Arabian Falcons.
Jonjo Shelvey, who used to play for Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Swansea, retired from pro football in April this year to become the manager of Arabian Falcons, based in Dubai. The 34-year-old said he wants to “build something special” at the club and added, “My goal is to reach the top of football management, and this project is the perfect chance to prove myself.”
Arabian Falcons started in 2023 with the goal of helping young players develop and get chances to play in Europe. They earned promotion to the UAE Second Division, which is the third level of football in the country, in their very first season. This was helped by Harry Agombar, the club’s ambitious sporting director. Agombar, who played in the Arsenal and Tottenham youth academies, coached the team before moving into a bigger role.
He told City AM, “I’ve been really involved with the club for the past three years. Dubai is an amazing city. Before, it mainly attracted older players finishing their careers because of the lifestyle, but now the lower divisions have more relaxed rules for foreign players. This gives young players from Africa and South America a great chance, which has been our approach from the start.”
It’s very different from the big crowds we see in England’s top leagues. Shelvey said last year that only about 75 people watched a UAE Second Division match. Still, the club has brought in some familiar names like Danny Simpson, a former Premier League winner, who recently scored twice in a game for the Falcons. The ex-Manchester United and Leicester City defender, now a player-coach, joined after talking with Shelvey.
He told National News, “We connected over football and how we both see the game. We still have that drive and passion. Then Jonjo called me in England and asked if I wanted to come help him. I was happy to join.”
Ravel Morrison, who joined in 2025 and was once a standout talent at Manchester United’s academy, has been made captain by Shelvey. Also involved is Jason Puncheon, who used to play for Southampton and Crystal Palace. He is now co-owner and head of football operations at the Falcons.
“I believe in a clear football vision based on structure, growth, and ambition,” Puncheon said when he was appointed in January. “I’m excited for what’s to come.”
Right now, Arabian Falcons are sixth in the UAE Second Division, six points behind the leaders Modern Sport.