Tim Cahill has been deemed surplus to requirements at Shanghai Shenhua.
You'd imagine the 36 year old Australian would be exactly the type of player teams in emerging leagues would be delighted to have: An international, with bags of experience in European football, a high profile and who can still perform at a reasonable level, despite his best days being behind him.
However, the nouveau riche Chinese Super League team, which already features Demba Ba, and recently signed midfielder Fredy Guarin from Inter Milan, appear to now consider themselves too good for Cahill
The former Everton midfielder joined the Chinese side last March, scored an impressive 12 goals in 36 games last season and had only signed a new deal in November.
Yet they terminated his contract on Tuesday. Cahill appeared genuinely upset by the development, posting his thanks to the Shanghai fans, and his surprise at the decision.
"I'm very sorry to announce that I have reached an agreement with Shanghai Shenhua to terminate my contract after being told that I'm not part of the new coach Manzano's plans for the 2016 season having only just signed a new contract in November," Cahill wrote.
"This is very sad especially after what I feel I have helped to build in Shanghai Shenhua on and off the park. Just thinking about saying goodbye to my team-mates and especially the amazing fans is heartbreaking."
