BEIJING — Australia international Tim Cahill signed with Hangzhou Greentown of the Chinese Super League on Monday, less than a week after leaving Shanghai Shenhua following the arrival of a new coach.
Hangzhou said on its website that the longtime Everton midfielder had agreed a six-month contract with the eastern China team, managed by former South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo. "Tim Cahill good luck!" the team said, without giving more detail.
The 36-year-old Cahill joined Shanghai in March but left the club on Feb. 16 after being told he was not part of coach Gregorio Manzano’s plans for the new season that begins in two weeks.
Cahill is part of a wave of foreign talent being recruited by big-spending Chinese clubs, including Jackson Martinez, formerly of Atletico Madrid, who was signed by defending Asian Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande for more than $40 million — a new Chinese record.
On Instagram, Cahill said it had been a "difficult and challenging week," but that he was happy with the way things had turned out.
"The future now is clear, I want to put all my energy into Hangzhou Greentown Football Club and the Socceroos," Cahill wrote, referring to Australia’s national team for whom he has played in the last three World Cups.