According to reports in Australia, Shanghai East Asia have secured the signing of striker Bernie Ibini from Central Coast Mariners for a fee of US$600,000.
Ibini, 20, had been in the final year of his contract with the A League side and thus was available on a cut-price deal, having also trialled with Belgian side Club Brugge back in January.
The Nigeria-born striker has become a familiar face to Chinese football fans this season, having impressed in Asian Champions League action against both Guizhou Renhe and Guangzhou Evergrande.
Given his age and ambitions to move on and play at a high-level in Europe, it is a move that offers a look to the future, as well as potential sell-on profit for East Asia.
However, Ibini will only be able to join his new club on July 1 when the Chinese FA transfer window opens for a three-week period of the summer.
East Asia had not registered an AFC-qualified foreign player in the opening half of the season.
Category: In Brief, Shanghai SIPG, Transfers
Tags: Bernie Ibini, Central Coast Mariners, shanghai east asia, transfers