Beijing Guoan striker Ryan Griffiths will sign an 18-month deal with Newcastle Jets as soon as his current contract in China expires.

The 29-year old will link up with the Jets in January and will be eligible to play straight away meaning he can be involved in the final nine matches of the A-League's regular season and then the finals if the club qualifies.

Griffiths joined Beijing Guoan from rival Chinese Super League club Liaoning Hongyun in 2009. Prior to that he had stints with Romanina outfits National and Rapid Bucharest.

The younger brother of former Jets marquee man Joel and Hangzhou defender Adam will be returning to Newcastle after he played the National Soccer League side for two seasons in between 2002 and 2004.