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Barrios seals Chinese switch

Image: Lucas Barrios: Thrilled to have made the move from Borussia Dortmund to Guangzhou Evergrande

Lucas Barrios has expressed his delight after completing a move to Guangzhou Evergrande following his departure from Borussia Dortmund.

Paraguay striker looking forward to new challenge

Lucas Barrios has expressed his delight after completing a move to Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande following his departure from Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund announced last month that a deal had been agreed for Paraguay striker Barrios to join Evergrande, and the transfer has now been confirmed. He is thought to have signed a four-year contract and is looking forward to the challenge of trying to make an impact in a different competition. "I'm extremely happy to come to Evergrande and to China," Barrios, 27, was quoted as saying in a statement. "I'm also looking forward to showing my ability in the AFC Champions competition," he said, referring to the regional showpiece.

Financial clout

The Chinese club did not give financial details, but the German daily Bild said the transfer was worth €12million (£9.7m) in a deal that will net Barrios an annual salary of €6.7million. Evergrande are coached by the World Cup-winning Italian Marcello Lippi, who joined last month, in another sign of the Super League's growing financial clout and desire for foreign talent. Barrios played for Borussia Dortmund from 2009 through to the end of the 2011-2012 season. He was Dortmund's top scorer in his first two seasons but lost his starting place to Robert Lewandowski after a lengthy injury lay-off.

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