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Tim Cahill‘s footballing future was decided on Tuesday morning after the Socceroos star announced he would be taking his talents to China, signing with Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC.
Word broke on Monday night that Cahill would leave his Major League Soccer club the New York Red Bulls, after arriving at a mutual agreement to cut his $US3.5 million contract a year short of completion.
The timing of the departure from New York spurred rumours that Cahill was eyeing a potential return to the English football, where he applied his trade at Premier League club Everton from 2004 to 2012. The deadline for Premier League transfers ended on Tuesday morning at 10:00am (AEDT), with Cahill’s announcement scheduled for 10:30am (AEDT).
The move comes off the back of strong performances from Cahill throughout the 2015 Asian Cup, highlighted by his two goals against China in the quarter final.
When announcing his move, Cahill told Fox Sports, “I’ve been on the phone to David Moyes, I spoke with Thierry Henry (via text message) and also the chairman Bill Kenright at Everton and Ange (Postecoglou) this morning.”
“I’ve made the decision purely because I’ve played in the Premier League and did really well and it was a massive compliment to get the phone calls I did last night and to speak to Moyes about possibly going to La Liga.
“I’ve done the Premier League, I’ve done America. New York was amazing for me … (but) China is a growing market in football.
“You see in the 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.
“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.”
Cahill said he had talks with Sydney FC officials “but as far as offers, there was nothing”.
Speaking on his decision to leave MLS, Cahill stated: “I joined with the ambition of helping to grow and positively affect soccer in the US and I feel immensely proud of what we achieved as a team during my time in the MLS. Winning the Supporter’s Shield was without doubt one of the best moments I have experienced in my career and I am now looking forward to my next chapter.”
Cahill scored 11 goals in 27 appearances for the New York Red Bulls.
It is not believed that Cahill received any realistic offers from A-League clubs since Sydney FC made a bid following the World Cup in 2014.
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