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Official: Australian Joel Griffiths signs with Shanghai Shenhua
In a move the player hopes will bring success both on and off the pitch, the veteran will join the likes of Nicolas Anelka after three years with rival club Beijing Guoan
Jan 20, 2012 5:05:00 AM
By Dan Orlowitz & Dapeng Liang
Shanghai Shenhua
Australian striker Joel Griffiths has signed with China's Shanghai Shenhua in a move that will pair the veteran with ex-Chelsea man Nicolas Anelka.
The widely-expected announcement is another big signing for a Shenhua side that appears determined to win their first silverware since 2003. Friday's announcement comes after the 32-year-old turned down a renewal offer from Beijing Guoan, where he has spent the last three years.
During his time in the capital city, Griffiths scored 27 goals in 76 appearances on the way toward the 2009 Chinese Super League championship as well as a second-place finish last year.
"I played against Shanghai Shenhua as a Beijing player before, and I thought they are one of the best clubs in China," Griffiths told local media at the press conference.
"I love this city and I want to bring honor to the team."
Griffiths' one-year, €800,000 contract will bring him three times the amount his old club was able to offer.
At the press conference announcing the deal, club director Zhou Jun also revealed that Shenhua is not yet finished making waves in the transfer market and have more foreign players on their radar.
"We are very interested in some creative midfielders," Jun elaborated to journalists at the event.
"[Argentinian international] Andrés Nicolás D'Alessandro is on our list."
The club has recently expressed optimism that they are still in the running to acquire Chelsea star Didier Drogba while denying interest in former Spanish international Guti.
The widely-expected announcement is another big signing for a Shenhua side that appears determined to win their first silverware since 2003. Friday's announcement comes after the 32-year-old turned down a renewal offer from Beijing Guoan, where he has spent the last three years.
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During his time in the capital city, Griffiths scored 27 goals in 76 appearances on the way toward the 2009 Chinese Super League championship as well as a second-place finish last year.
"I played against Shanghai Shenhua as a Beijing player before, and I thought they are one of the best clubs in China," Griffiths told local media at the press conference.
"I love this city and I want to bring honor to the team."
Griffiths' one-year, €800,000 contract will bring him three times the amount his old club was able to offer.
At the press conference announcing the deal, club director Zhou Jun also revealed that Shenhua is not yet finished making waves in the transfer market and have more foreign players on their radar.
"We are very interested in some creative midfielders," Jun elaborated to journalists at the event.
"[Argentinian international] Andrés Nicolás D'Alessandro is on our list."
The club has recently expressed optimism that they are still in the running to acquire Chelsea star Didier Drogba while denying interest in former Spanish international Guti.
How do you think Joel will do for Shanghai? Let us know!
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