10 Footballers Who Moved To China Before It Was Cool

5. Simão (Shandong Luneng, 2012)

Perhaps best known for being a great low-budget holding-midfielder on Football Manager, Simão has had long spells in both Greece and Spain - with a pitstop in China between the two. It was in 2012 when Simão's contract with Panathinaikos expired that the industrious midfielder moved to China - signing for Shandong Luneng only days after his release. The spell was pretty unsuccessful, with the Chinese club opting to terminate the Mozambican's contract in early 2013. He has since established himself with Spanish side Levante, whom he has made just shy of 80 league appearances for.
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Journalism student hopping between London and the North-East. Boxing enthusiast and Football Manager addict. Was diagnosed with supporting Sunderland AFC as a child.