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Qatari club Al Gharafa claim they have deal for Wesley Sneijder

Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder is set to leave Nice to join Al Gharafa, the Qatari club claimed on its Twitter account on Friday.

Sneijder was quoted by Dutch broadcaster RTL as saying he had signed a one-and-a-half-year contract.

"It's a nice adventure and a fun challenge," Sneijder told RTL Boulevard. "I am really happy to go for it together with my family."

There was no immediate confirmation from the Ligue 1 club, though Sneijder was not in Nice's squad to face Toulouse in the Coupe de France on Saturday.

Sneijder moved to France last summer from Galatasaray, signing a one-year contract. However, he has made just five league appearances for the French Riviera club and has been linked to another move in recent weeks.

Al Gharafa announced on their Twitter page: "Breaking: We are delighted to announce that @sneijder101010 will join Al Gharafa Sports Club."

The club also said he would arrive in Doha on Saturday ahead of signing his contract.

The 33-year-old Sneijder has previously also played for Ajax, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, and has won 133 caps for Netherlands.