Tim Cahill joins Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua

Australia midfielder Tim Cahill has joined Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua after leaving Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls by mutual agreement.

The former Everton and Millwall player said he was attracted by the scale of the potential football market in China.

The 35-year-old said: "I've done the Premier League, I've done America. New York was amazing for me. China is a growing market in football."

Cahill helped his national team win the 2015 Asian Cup title on Saturday.

"You see in the [Asian Cup quarter-final] game that we played against China, millions of people watched it and I'm someone who is embracing culture and a different aspect of life," he added.

"I'm at an age where I want to give something back to football and still play at a high level.

"I think it's exciting. To still be in demand and have the offers I've had is special but this will be massive for me as a player on and off the park."

Cahill, who scored a memorable goal against the Netherlands for Australia at the 2014 World Cup, moved to the United States in July 2012 after eight years at Goodison Park.

Red Bulls sporting director Ali Curtis said: "We thank Tim for his service to the organisation.

"He positively impacted the growth of the beautiful game in the United States, MLS and for the Red Bulls."

Millwall gave Cahill his first professional contract before he joined Everton in 2004, where he scored 56 goals in 226 league games.