Brazil forward Robinho has joined former Selecao coach Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande on a six-month deal, ending the hope of UAE clubs.
The former Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan man was heavily linked with a move to the Arabian Gulf League, with Baniyas in advanced talks, while Al Jazira were also linked.
However, Robinho has opted for a reunion with former national coach Scolari in China.
Robinho was part of the Brazil side that exited the recent Copa America tournament following a quarter-final penalty shootout defeat by Paraguay.
He will join the four-times reigning Chinese champions, who appointed 2002 World Cup winning coach Scolari last month after sacking Italian Fabio Cannavaro after less than half a season in charge.
Scolari has been quick to make changes and signed Brazilian midfielder Paulinho from English outfit Tottenham Hotspur recently for a reported fee of around $15 million (Dh55m).
Guangzhou, the 2013 AFC Champions League winners, are not the only Chinese club to have spent money on expensive internationals with Shanghai Shenhua also paying $14.5 million to Turkish side Besiktas for Senegal international Demba Ba.
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