Former Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini has left Shandong Taishan after the end of the current Chinese Super League season.
Fellaini was a divisive figure during his spell at Old Trafford, with former United manager David Moyes signing him on deadline day from Everton in 2013.
Despite making a name for himself at Everton under Moyes, the 35-year-old Belgian midfielder was seen as a flop by some at United while others felt he was underrated.
Fellaini remained at United even after Moyes’ sacking and was subsequently used by ex-Red Devils managers Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
During his five-and-a-half seasons at United, the former Everton star lifted an FA Cup, a Europa League title and a League Cup.
Fellaini made a total of 177 appearances for United and scored 22 times and registered 12 assists before his departure to Shandong in 2019.
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Fellaini leaves Shandong
The first major signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, Solskjaer allowed Fellaini to leave Old Trafford in January 2019 as the ex-United man moved to China.
Fellaini, who became captain of Shandong, has made 139 appearances for the Chinese club and has scored 50 times and picked up 12 assists.
Shandong thrashed Henan 5-1 in their Chinese Super League clash on Saturday, with Fellaini not included in the squad for their final league match.
Speaking ahead of the match (via Chinese news agency Xinhua), Shandong manager Choi Kang-hee claimed at the time that club captain Fellaini would retire from football.
“Though with some regret, I respect his decision to retire. He is a very great player,” he said.
“Maybe due to his age, his every post-game recovery was rather painstaking, which usually took one day or two.”
However, Fabrizio Romano has now reported on X, formerly Twitter, that Fellaini has become a free agent and will not retire from football.
“Marouane Fellaini leaves China side Shandong after 5 years as legend of the club,” he tweeted.
“He’s now available as [a] free agent, ready for [a] new chapter as his agent denied all recent reports on retirement.”
Fellaini receives farewell at Shandong
Shandong finished second in the Chinese Super League and were five points adrift from Shanghai Port, with the club set to play in the AFC Champions League next season.
Fellaini’s club confirmed in a statement that they would hold a farewell ceremony for the former Belgium international after the match against Henan on Saturday.
“In the past years, Fellaini has ignited our home atmosphere with goals and victories time and time again,” reads Shandong’s statement.
“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.”
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