Transfer deadline day: Fellaini joins Shandong Luneng, Beijing Guoan sign ex-Gunner Yennaris
Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng have reached an agreement with Manchester United over the transfer of Marouane Fellaini on the final day of the winter transfer window in Europe's major leagues.
The 31-year-old Belgium midfielder, who was the Red Devils' first major signing after Sir Alex Ferguson's departure as manager, helped United clinch the 2016 FA Cup as well as the Europa League and League Cup in 2017,
It is understood that Fellaini has already passed his medical and could play the Lunar New Year Cup, where Luneng will take on New Zealand outfit Auckland City next Tuesday, the Spring Festival.
Fellaini has been at Man Utd since arriving from Everton in 2013 and was an important figure during Mourinho's reign. /VCG Photo
Elsewhere, Beijing Guoan have completed the double signings of Nico Yennaris from English second-tier side Brentford and John Hou Saeter from Norway outfit Stabaek in a landmark move for Chinese soccer.
The 25-year-old Yennaris, who was born in London and started his career at Arsenal, has taken the Chinese name Li Ke, while the Norwegian-born Saeter, 21, will use his Chinese name Hou Yongyong due to the fact that both of them have Chinese mothers.
Beijing Guoan unveil welcome poster for midfielder Li Ke. /Courtesy of Beijing Guoan's official website
"Hou Yongyong and Li Ke will become China's first naturalized footballers after all the formalities are completed," Guoan said in a statement via its official Weibo account.
The Beijing-based club, who won last season's Chinese FA Cup under German coach Roger Schmidt, stressed that they hope the two players will put on a great performance in the Chinese Super League with Guoan so as to grasp the opportunity to represent China in the future."
Beijing Guoan unveil welcome poster for midfielder Hou Yongyong. /Courtesy of Beijing Guoan's official website
Meanwhile, seven-time CSL champions Guangzhou Evergrande have signed Roberto Siucho from Peru club Universitario. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder was born in Peru, but he is expected to be given naturalized citizenship because his grandfather is Chinese.
Newly-promoted CSL side Wuhan Zall have completed the transfer of Brazilian striker Leo Baptistao from Espanyol. The 26-year-old scored nine goals for Espanyol last season and had two in his last two games.
Baptistao's exit may prove vital for Chinese star Wu Lei, who could face less competition in the attacking department after joining the Spanish club on Monday.
Roberto Siucho celebrates after scoring a goal against Venezuela during a South American Championship U-20 football match at the Olimpico stadium in Ibarra, Ecuador on January 23, 2017. /VCG Photo
Other main deals on deadline day
Crystal Palace sign Michy Batshuayi on loan
Barcelona sign Atletico Mineiro's Emerson
Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa joins Besiktas on loan
Newcastle United sign Atlanta United's Miguel Almiron
Leicester sign Tielemans on loan from Monaco
Galatasaray sign Mitroglou on loan
Crouch returns to Premier League with Burnley
Wolves sign Atletico Madrid's Otto on a permanent deal
(With input from agencies)