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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Richards

Yaya Toure completes shock move to continue playing career in Chinese second division

Yaya Toure has completed a move to Chinese second tier side Qingdao Huanghai.

Toure, the ex-Manchester City midfielder, has been without a club since December when he left Greek side Olympiacos after just three months.

The 36-year-old is now set to make his debut for his new club this weekend, when they host Zhejiang Greentown, two months after being forced to shoot down claims he was set to retire.

Toure's agent declared at the beginning of May that he was planning to call time on his playing career, but the three-time Premier League winner promptly stated that he was instead "focused to take new challenges in playing football."

Toure left Manchester City last May (X03805)

Toure was unveiled by his new club on Tuesday morning and explained his reasons for the surprise move.

"Since the start of my football career, I have always loved challenges and now I have decided to take this new challenge and make history once again with Qingdao Huanghai Football Club!

"This is a very exciting young club with a lot of potential and we share the same philosophy – that is to play beautiful football!

A new challenge for Toure (Twitter/@YayaToure)

"It will be my great honor to grow and succeed with this club! I am very happy to be part of the Huanghai family here in Qingdao, China. The club owner Mr. Wang and everyone here at the club make me feel at home.

"The fans have also been fantastic and showed so much love! I would like to take this opportunity to thank the club owner and staff for their warm welcome and my Chinese agent for the great care and support.

"I believe my experiences in football will offer something new to this growing club and together we can make great history!

"I can’t wait to let my football do the magic once again, let’s enjoy football together!"

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