Barcelona FC president Josep Maria Bartomeu (left) shook hands with Javier Mascherano at the Barcelona and Argentine defense division squad that will accompany the Chinese club, Hebei China Fortune. - AFP photos
SHANGHAI: Argentine defender Javier Mascherano was introduced as a high-profile player joining the Chinese Super League when he joined Hebei China Fortune of Barcelona.
The 33-year-old became the most famous player to move to China after Argentina's Carlos Tevez compatriot did so last year.
After a number of transfers are considered to be breaking records, the Chinese authorities have been preventing such contracts from last year.
He will be in the No. 14 jersey and will play another Argentine player Ezequiel Lavezzi, in Hebei, based in China's northern city of Qinhuangdao, managed by former Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini.
"After reaching agreement with Barcelona FC and the player himself, captain of Argentina Mascherano joined officially China's Hebei Football Club officially today," said the Chinese club, without disclosing the transfer fee.
Spanish club Barcelona Barcelona announced yesterday that Mascherano, who could play as defensive midfielder, left the club after seven and a half seasons, without explaining its destination.
The Catalan giants said Mascherano would be officially allowed for a farewell ceremony today and would say goodbye to fans in the second leg of the Spanish Cup second leg against Espanyol.
Last month, Sport, a Catalan daily said Hebei reached an agreement to get him from Barca at a price of 10 million euros, relying on the Spanish club's ability to get his successor, who had done it when they secured Colombia's central defender Yerry Mina.
Mascherano arrived in Barcelona from Liverpool in August 2010 and won four La Liga titles, four Spanish King Cup titles, two Champions League and two World Cups.
He only scored a goal from 334 appearances, when his teammates urged him to take a penalty kick when he thrashed Osasuna 7-1 in April last year.
Only two non-Spanish players Lionel Messi and Dani Alves play in more matches with Barcelona. - AFP