Aerbin welcomes Keita

Dalian Aerbin announced on Sunday the club had reached a 2 1/2-year deal with Mali international Seydou Keita.

The 32-year-old midfielder, who spent four years with Barcelona, will set out for Dalian on July 16, and will play in the No 20 jersey in the Chinese Super League (CSL).

"Keita is exactly the player we need, and we are very happy to have him join us," said the club's general manager, Li Ming. "Keita is a first-class player and we hope he will merge into the team fast and lead it to more wins."

Keita was seen in the coastal city in northeast China in early July. Reports at that time said he was to be paid 14 million euros ($17 million) a year by Aerbin. However, according to Chinese paper the Peninsula Morning Post, which is based in Dalian, Keita's annual salary is between 3.5 million-4 million euros, similar to his income at Barcelona.

Li refused to confirm that report, but said, "What I can say is we signed Keita for a very reasonable price. His salary is not as high as has been rumored. He didn't come to the Chinese league for money."

The paper said French club Le Mans played an important role in concluding the contract. The two clubs linked up when Aerbin was still in the third division. Aerbin is 11th among the 16 teams in the CSL and is in need of a foreign player to boost attack and relieve the pressure on its defense. Le Mans recommended Keita after Aerbin asked it for help.

Anelka denies he's leaving

French striker Nicolas Anelka has denied he plans to depart Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, Shanghai-based paper Oriental Sports Daily reported.

British media reported Anelka was eager to return to England, and Premier League teams West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers had expressed interest in the 33-year-old striker.

Anelka told the paper he won't leave Shenhua until he retires.

"I won't go back to the Premier League, though I spent some quite pleasant years there," the paper quoted Anelka as saying. "I won't go to any other club, the day I leave Shenhua will mark the end of my career."

(China Daily 07/10/2012 page23)