Aussie star Cahill joins Shanghai Shenhua

Australia forward Tim Cahill joined Shanghai Shenhua on Tuesday shortly after the New York Red Bulls announced he had left the club by mutual consent.

Cahill agreed terms with the Chinese club where he will play at least one season with an offer on the table to extend his stay for a second year. It is understood the veteran striker is yet to sign-off on minor terms of the contract but has formally agreed to personal terms in principle with Shenhua.

Shanghai Shenhua are no strangers to signing some of the biggest names in world football, landing a stunning double coup in 2012, signing both Didier Drogba and Nicholas Anelka. Australian pair Joel Griffiths and Mark Milligan have also played for the club.

The 35-year-old Socceroos star, who scored three goals for Australia during a triumphant run to the AFC Asian Cup title, said he was attracted by the scale of the potential football market in China PR.

"I've done the Premier League, I've done America. New York was amazing for me ... (but) China is a growing market in football," Cahill said. "You see in the (Asian Cup quarter-final) game that we played against China, millions of people watched it and I'm someone who is embracing culture and a different aspect of life.

"I'm at an age where I want to give something back to football and still play at a high level. I think it's exciting. To still be in demand and have the offers I've had is special but this will be massive for me as a player on and off the park."

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