Spanish second division outfit SD Ponferradina have announced the signing of 39-year-old Chinese midfielder Gao Leilei in a deal which will keep him at the club until June 2020.

The club, which won promotion to the Liga SmartBank, have not revealed any further details of the transfer.

The Ponferradina website explains the deal will "bring an important economic benefit to the club as well as the possibility of opening a connection to the Chinese market with important prospects for the future."

The midfielder arrives at Ponferradina after a long and colorful career which has seen him play in China, New Zealand, Australia and the U.S.

Gao retired from football in 2011 after a spell with the Beijing Sport University Football Club but returned to the game in 2016 when he joined Spanish third-tier outfit UD Cornella. He made just four appearances totaling 37 minutes in three seasons at the club.

In January, he joined third division FC Jumilla, making five appearances before the end of last season.