Brazilian striker Douglas, who played a pivotal role in helping Sanfrecce Hiroshima win the J. League championship with 21 goals on loan from second-division Tokushima Vortis last season, will move to the United Arab Emirates to play for Al Ain, Tokushima said Wednesday.
Hiroshima had said on Tuesday that Douglas would be leaving, while also announcing the acquisition of Nigerian striker Peter Utaka from Shimizu S-Pulse.
According to a club source, Sanfrecce had hoped to extend Douglas' loan period or acquire the 28-year-old marksman on a full transfer, but were unable to meet Vortis' terms.
Douglas played 4½ seasons for Tokushima and had a short loan spell with Kyoto Sanga in 2014.
He contributed to Sanfrecce's third-place finish at last month's Club World Cup.