Ibini signs for UAE club after Whitecaps exit

Attacking weapon Bernie Ibini has signed with UAE side Emirates Club to end a 15-month spell with Vancouver Whitecaps of the MLS.

Bernie Ibini

Source: Icon Sportswire

It’s the fifth professional club for the twice-capped Socceroo, 25, after 26 appearances and a single goal for the Whitecaps across two seasons.

Ibini, who was coming off contract in Canada, has battled hard to piece his career back together after breaking his leg in his first training session for Club Brugge, as his dream move from Shanghai SIPG, via loans with Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC, turned into a nightmare.

The Falcons kick off the Arabian Gulf League season at home to Al Ain, with Ibini officially unveiled today.
Ironically, Ibini made his Socceroos debut against the UAE back in 2014.

And with his former Mariners and Sydney FC mentor Graham Arnold now in charge of the national team, he will be looking to grab his attention ahead of January’s AFC Asian Cup - also being staged in the UAE.

The Nigerian-born winger never made a senior appearance in Belgium but returned to the A-League, where it had all begun with the Mariners, on a second loan deal with the Sky Blues.

Still possessed of lightning speed, he made 20 appearances, and scored three times, to complete his recovery from injury which sidelined him for over a year.


Share
Follow SBS Sport
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service. Read more about Sport
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow SBS Sport
2 min read

Published

By Dave Lewis

Share this with family and friends


SBS Sport Newsletter

Sign up now for the latest sport news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS On Demand
SBS Audio

Listen to our podcasts
The SBS Cycling Podcast is a punchy podcast covering the world of professional cycling, coming to you during the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.
Get the latest with our sport podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS Sport
Sport News

Sport News

News from around the sporting world