The A-League’s reigning Golden Boot winner is returning to China as Daniel McBreen has made a permanent move back to Shanghai SIPG. The 36-year-old spent thirteen games with the team also known as East Asia, scoring three times in a loan from Central Coast Mariners between June and October 2013. Now, apparently with input from fans, McBreen has reached a new deal for the 2014 Chinese Super League season.
Daniel McBreen heads back to China
Taking input from fans, Central Coast Mariners have allowed McBreen to move back to Shanghai SIPG with immediate effect.
McBreen is taking the opportunity for one more big move, according to a Mariners release:
”Being with the Mariners has been one of the most enjoyable times in my football career. But at this time in my life I need to think about my family and another opportunity like this might not happen again.
“I am extremely grateful to the Mariners for coming to this agreement and I am sure that the team will continue to perform strongly - as they have done many times in the past when losing players.”
New Central Coast CEO Bruce Stadler described a slightly different approach to considering a transfer:
”We are committed to re-engaging with our supporters here on the Central Coast and will be seeking their input on a number of key decisions in the future. Today I contacted supporters directly to ask their opinions on McBreen’s proposed move. The consensus was that Daniel should be allowed to move so long as the club was fairly compensated, which it has been.
“We are now turning our focus to bringing a number of high quality players into the club and believe we will have a number of new recruits to announce in the coming days.”
According to the release, McBreen will not be eligible to play this weekend despite not leaving for Shanghai for another week. The move comes immediately on the heels of the Mariners’ announcement regarding Trent Sainsbury’s transfer to PEC Zwolle, which is also begins this weekend. Central Coast play on Sunday at Brisbane Roar.
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