Former Man United star to retire at the end of the season after ditching Premier League for China

Former Manchester United star who ditched the Premier League for China will reportedly retire at the end of the season.

Back in 2019, Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini left United for Chinese Super League club Shandong Taishan.

Since then, Fellaini has made a total of 137 appearances across all competitions, scoring 50 goals.

Now, it has been reported that the Belgian is set to hang up his boots at the end of the season.

According to Chinese news outlet Xinhua, Shandong head coach Choi Kang-hee said: “Though with some regret, I respect his decision to retire. He is a very great player.

“Maybe due to his age, his every post-game recovery was rather painstaking, which usually took one day or two.”

A statement from the club read: “In the past years, Fellaini has ignited our home atmosphere with goals and victories time and time again.

“In this final battle, let us salute him and see him off with applause and cheers. A superstar when he came, a legend when he left.”

Back in September, Fellaini wrote on social media to announce he would leave Shandong at the end of the season.

He wrote: “At the end of this season, after five years, I will say goodbye to the great club of Shandong Taishan FC.

“I have had the privilege of wearing the legendary jersey of this club in 130 games and of contributing to an incredible string of successes: the Super League in 2021 and the CFA Cup in 2020, 2021 and 2022.”

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Fellaini continued: “These moments will always be in my memory. As I have always done, I will give everything that I have in me to try to win another trophy this season.

“I am very grateful to our president, our fans, my team-mates, the coaches, the personnel, and everybody who was part of this amazing journey.”

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