The 39-year-old right-back, who lifted the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2016, has agreed a move that will see him combine playing duties with a coaching role within Shelvey’s backroom staff.
Simpson becomes the latest high-profile former Premier League player to join the ambitious Falcons project, forming part of an experienced leadership group alongside manager Shelvey, club captain and ex-Premier League midfielder Ravel Morrison, and co-owner & Head of Football Operations Jason Puncheon.
A Manchester United academy graduate, Simpson built a long career across English football, earning promotions to the Premier League with Sunderland, Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers. His defining achievement came in Leicester City’s extraordinary 2015/16 title-winning campaign, where he made 30 league appearances as the Foxes defied 5,000-1 odds to secure one of the greatest sporting shocks in history and lift the trophy.
Shelvey, a former Premier League midfielder with over 300 top-flight appearances for Liverpool, Newcastle United, Swansea City and Burnley, has quickly transitioned into management. Capped six times by England, he joined Arabian Falcons initially as a player before stepping into the managerial role for the final five matches of last season. His short stint in charge saw the team mount a late push for promotion, narrowly falling short. Now preparing for his first full campaign as manager, Shelvey is reshaping the squad with the aim of securing success.
Simpson said: “The opportunity to join Jonjo and this exciting project was one I couldn’t turn down.
"I still have plenty to offer on the pitch, and I’m looking forward to helping the team achieve its ambitions. The club has a clear plan, and I want to play my part in delivering a successful promotion-winning campaign.”
Shelvey said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Danny Simpson to Arabian Falcons. After stepping in for the last five games last season and coming so close to promotion, we now have the opportunity to build properly in my first full campaign.
"Danny is the ideal signing - a Premier League champion with vast experience, leadership, and a winning mentality. He strengthens us immediately on the pitch and will be invaluable in helping develop the squad. This is the start of us building a team I firmly believe can win promotion this season.”
Puncheon, Co-Owner & Head of Football Operations, added: “This signing sends a strong message about our ambition. Jonjo has already shown what he can do in a short space of time, and with Danny arriving we are building real strength and character in the squad.
"We are fully focused on making this a successful season and securing promotion to the UAE First Division.”
Shelvey has also moved to secure continuity within the squad by extending the contract of fellow former Premier League player Ravel Morrison for another season. The retention is seen as a key part of the club’s plans for the 2026/27 campaign.
With Simpson arriving and Morrison staying, Arabian Falcons continue to attract and retain experienced ex-Premier League talent. Further signings are expected in the coming weeks as Shelvey shapes his squad for the 2026/27 UAE Second Division season.
Based in Dubai, Arabian Falcons FC is an ambitious and rapidly developing football project. Originally a community-focused club, it has been transformed under new ownership into a professional operation with ambitions of becoming a major force in UAE football.
Led by co-owner and Head of Football Operations Jason Puncheon, the club aims to blend experienced international players with emerging talent to achieve short-term promotion to the UAE First Division, while building towards longer-term continental competition and eventual FIFA Club World Cup qualification.
This season, the club has also launched its own academy, led by four former Premier League professionals — Jonjo Shelvey, Danny Simpson, Ravel Morrison, and Jason Puncheon — designed to create a structured pathway for young players across the UAE into professional football.
A behind-the-scenes documentary will follow Arabian Falcons throughout the season as they begin their promotion push under Shelvey’s management.