Barrios to join China’s Guangzhou

BERLIN - Reuters

Paraguayan ace Lucas Barrios will ply his trade for Guangzhou Evergrande. AFP photo

Borussia Dortmund’s Lucas Barrios will leave the Bundesliga champions for Guangzhou Evergrande in China after the clubs agreed on an undisclosed fee for the 27-year-old striker, the German side said yesterday. 

The Paraguay international has signed a four-year deal with the Chinese club after winning consecutive league titles with Dortmund, who have already clinched this season’s championship ahead of Saturday’s final round. 
“Lucas Barrios won two Bundesliga titles with us and in 82 league games scored 39 goals... so that is why we met his wish to change clubs and play first team football,” Dortmund said in a statement. 

The forward, who joined from Chilean side Colo-Colo in 2009, lost his spot in the Dortmund starting lineup to top scorer Robert Lewandowski and had already expressed a desire to leave during the winter transfer window. 

Barrios will join Nicolas Anelka as another high-profile signing in the unheralded Chinese Premier League. 
Anelka was lured by Shanghai Shenhua thanks to a multi-million deal. Last month, the French superstar was assigned to the player-coach role at the Shanghai club, which was then managed by compatriot Jean Tigana.