Jelavic leaves West Ham to sign for Chinese team

By foxsports
Published

Nikica Jelavic has completed his switch from West Ham to Chinese second division side Beijing Renhe.

West Ham co-chairman David Gold confirmed Jelavic's departure on Twitter, with the striker having made just one Premier League start since joining the Hammers in the summer.

The 30-year-old had fallen further down the West Ham pecking order after the arrival of Nigerian forward Emmanuel Emenike in the January transfer window.

"Nikica Jelavic has completed his move to Chinese second division team Beijing Renhe. Good luck Nikica," tweeted Gold.

The former Hull City, Everton and Rangers striker is the latest high-profile addition to Chinese football, following on from the likes of Jackson Martinez and former Chelsea star Ramires completing moves to Chinese Super League outfits.

West Ham now have Andy Carroll, Enner Valencia, Emenike and Diafra Sakho as their main forward line options.

Jelavic impressed across two-year spells with first Rangers then Everton, before spending last term at Hull.

His latest move underlines China's increasing financial clout to recruit stars from the world's top leagues, given his new club were relegated from the country's top flight last season.