Gold Coast United midfielder Adam Griffiths is set to become the first Australian to play in Saudi Arabia after the A-League newcomer agreed to accept a record transfer fee from five-time champion Al-Shabab, a report in an Australian daily said Sunday. Griffiths, who turns 30 later this month, flew out of Australia last night - just 24 hours after making his Gold Coast debut in the season opener against Brisbane Roar. The former Newcastle Jets midfielder joined Gold Coast on a three-year contract in June, but will now become the highest-paid Australian footballer in Asia after agreeing terms with Al-Shabab, which kicks off the new Saudi season on Aug. 19. Al-Shabab has qualified for the 2010 Asian Champions League after finishing fourth last season, and Griffiths will fill its designated AFC spot under the new “3+1'' rule. The deal was organized by Sydney-based player agent Tony Rallis, who accompanied Griffiths on his flight to Bahrain, where he is due to have a medical while organizing his visa for Saudi Arabia. Al-Shabab is coached by Portuguese mentor Jaime Pacheco.
