10 Footballers Who Moved To China Before It Was Cool

7. Seydou Keita (Dalian Aerbin, 2012-2013)

Arguably the most decorated player in the list, Keita was once part of a formidable Barcelona side that swept up both domestically and in Europe. After several seasons of great service in Catalonia, Keita was allowed to move on to Dalian Aerbin for no compensation in 2012. The midfielder managed 10 goals in 41 games in the Chinese Super League before Valencia offered him a way back into La Liga in 2013. He has since signed for Italian giants Roma, where he remains to this day at the age of 36.