AL RAYYAN have confirmed the capture of Chicago Fire star Alvaro Fernandez until the end of the season.

The Uruguayan has signed a six-month deal with Rayyan, with the option of a further year should both parties be happy with the progress of the deal.

Alvaro arrived in Doha on Tuesday and will undergo a medical at Aspetar today before completing his deal. Alvaro, 27, signed for Chicago in 2012 after spending two years with Seattle Sounders. He has experience playing in Uruguay, Mexico and Portugal.

The Uruguayan said: "I am very happy to be in Qatar. I worked with Diego Aguirre in Uruguay and he was the one who brought me here. He gave me a lot of information about Qatar and I am looking forward to the challenge."

Meanwhile, the club confirmed they have extended the contract of head coach Diego Aguirre until 2014 to help continuity at the club and continue building for success at The Lions.