Inter Milan's Fredy Guarin celebrates after scoring against Sampdoria during their Italian Serie A soccer match at San Siro stadium in Milan on Dec. 1, 2013. (Photo : Reuters)
Shanghai Greenland Shenhua signed Inter Milan midfielder Fredy Guarin, the first foreign signing before the new season.
Greenland Shenhua confirmed having signed the Colombian late on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
According to ESPN, the coach of the Chinese club, Gregorio Manzano, said that Guarin has completed his move from Inter Milan to Shenhua. He published a picture of Guarin with a pen in his hand and a contract on the table, saying, "Let's give a welcome to our new player Fredy Guarin at Shanghai Shenhua, whom he joins with enthusiasm and desire."
Currently, Guarin is with his team in Marbella, Spain, for off-season training. The midfielder held talks with the club officials in Spain on Tuesday, Jan. 26. After having his medical records checked, Guarin watched his new teammates play a friendly match against Marbella FC, according to Shanghai Daily.
The Chinese Super League side paid Inter approximately $11 million for Guarin. The 29-year-old attacking midfielder is on a two-year contract whereby he will be earning 5.5 million euros per year. In the event Shenhua makes it to the AFC Champions League, Inter Milan will pocket 1 million euros more.
Meanwhile, another Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning announced on Wednesday that it had signed a four-year deal with Ramires Santos from the EPL side Chelsea for 28 million euros. The 28-year-old Brazilian has been with Chelsea since 2010, scoring 37 goals in 242 games for the club.
While Guarin was previously rumored to join Jiangsu, after the club's unsuccessful attempt to sign the deal with AC Milan striker Luiz Adriano, Guarin changed his mind to move to Greenland Shenhua. Guarin's compatriot and fan favorite Giovanni Moreno is the captain of Greenland Shenhua.
It is reported that Shanghai outfit has been associated with Portuguese international and former Manchester United player Nani.
With the arrival of Guarin because of foreign players' quota, eyes are focused on Greece defender Avraam Papadopoulos and Mali midfielder Mohamed Sissoko.
