Obafemi Martins has become the latest player to move to the Chinese Super League. The former Internazionale, Newcastle and Birmingham City striker is leaving Seattle Sounders to join Shanghai Shenhua, who already have Demba Ba and Fredy Guarín among their number.
Martins, a League Cup winner with Birmingham in 2011, thanked the Sounders on Twitter before saying: “For me it’s now time for a new challenge. After significant reflection, I have decided to join Shanghai Shenhua of the Chinese Super League. When I left Nigeria for Italy at the age of 15 with the hopes of a pro career, I put everything on the line. I was immersed in an unknown culture.
“It may be difficult to understand or relate to but I’ve grown to appreciate the feeling I get when entering environments where I’m not a proven footballer.”
The 31-year-old follows the Colombia striker Jackson Martínez, the Brazil midfielders Ramires and Alex Teixeira, and the former Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic, formerly of West Ham, in moving to China.
Gervinho, Paulinho, Mohamed Sissoko, Gaël Kakuta and Asamoah Gyan are other notable players who play in the 16-team Chinese Super League. The new season begins on 4 March.