Coventry City have confirmed the permanent departure of winger Jahnoah Markelo to UAE Pro League side Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai. The 23-year-old Surinamese talent, who joined the Sky Blues in a £4.3m deal from FC Zurich last January, leaves after a disappointing six-month spell in the Championship.
What happened?
Markelo arrived at the CBS Arena in January as a high-profile signing, but struggled to make an impact under Frank Lampard. The winger registered just 36 minutes of Championship action during his time with Coventry, who secured promotion to the Premier League with a dominant campaign (final 2025 table: 1st in Championship, 95 pts, 28W-11D-7L from 46 games, recent form WWWDD).
Why the move fell flat
Despite his strong form at FC Zurich, where he contributed five goals and assists in 14 Swiss Super League appearances, Markelo failed to break into Lampard’s first-team plans. His limited game time and the club’s promotion to the Premier League paved the way for his exit this summer.
What comes next for Coventry City?
With Markelo’s departure confirmed, Coventry City are now focusing on their preparations for the Premier League. The Sky Blues, who finished 11 points clear of Ipswich at the top of the Championship last season, will look to strengthen their squad ahead of their return to the top flight after a 30-year absence.
