■NEW Nashat Akram 2009 (HD)نشات اكرم جديد■
NEW Nashat Akram 2009 (HD) Al Gharrafa نشات اكرم نادي الغرافة جديد Iraq star Nashat Akram has signed a three-year deal with Dutch club FC Twente.
The 24 year-old, who was came third in running for the 2007 Asian Player of the Year award, is the first player to join the Dutch league runners-up as they build for next season.
He is a young and very talented player who has a lot of experience for his age," Twente coach Steve McClaren told news agency ANP.
Nashat starred in Iraqs run to the 2007 Asian Cup title and almost joined Manchester City in January 2008.
At the last moment however, the former Al Ain star was denied a work permit by the UK government as Iraq was ranked just outside the top 75 by FIFA.
The midfielder, also once linked to Sunderland, then joined Qatari club Al Gharafa and helped the Doha outfit to the Q-League championship.
Nashat becomes the second Iraqi player to ply his trade in Europe, joining Hawar Mulla Mohammed of Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta.