The 30-year-old midfielder had been without a club since leaving Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of last season and will now join the UAE Pro League side, where Andrea Pirlo is in charge.
Dubai United initially teased the arrival through their social media channels, using a silhouette of the incoming player. Images of Dahoud wearing the club's shirt subsequently appeared on the UAE Pro League website, effectively confirming his destination. ([fussballtransfers.com](https://www.fussballtransfers.com/a144360530874669634-dahoud-findet-neuen-verein))
The move takes Dahoud into a new chapter after a career spent almost entirely in Germany and England.
Born in Syria and raised in Germany, Dahoud began his senior career at Borussia Mönchengladbach, where his performances as a technically gifted midfielder established him as one of the Bundesliga's leading young players.
Borussia Dortmund signed him in 2017, and he subsequently spent time at the club before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023.
Dahoud later returned to Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt, making 22 appearances during his two seasons with the club. His contract expired at the end of June, leaving him available as a free agent.
He will now work with one of the most recognisable names in European football.
Pirlo took charge of Dubai United in 2025 and is entering his second season with the club. The former Italy international and Juventus midfielder has taken his coaching career to the UAE after previous spells in charge of Juventus, Fatih Karagümrük and Sampdoria.
Dahoud's experience should provide Pirlo with another established European player as Dubai United build their squad.
The midfielder won two caps for Germany during his international career and was part of the squad that won the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
His move to Dubai represents a significant change of environment after more than a decade in European football, but it also gives Dahoud the opportunity to continue playing under a coach whose own career was built around controlling midfield.
For Pirlo, the arrival adds a player with Bundesliga and Premier League experience to his Dubai United squad.
Dahoud is therefore heading into a new phase of his career, with the UAE becoming the latest destination for a midfielder who has spent much of his professional life competing at the highest level of German football.