Riordan jets out to China to quit ‘boring’ SPL

Former Hibernian striker Derek Riordan has flown out of Scotland to take up negotiations with Chinese Super League club Shaanxi Chanba.

The 28-year old, whose contract at Easter Road expired at the end of last season, jetted out of Edinburgh to reportedly put the finishing touches on a deal believed to be worth £1.5million a year.

Riordan says he is keen to experience something a bit different to the Scottish Premier League, which he describes ‘a bit boring’, and said the wages at Shaanxi are certainly luring.

"It's a good deal with good wages and a chance to set up my family. You have to look at that when you're coming towards the end of your career,” he said.

"I need to see what it looks like first. If it's good, then hopefully everything else falls into place.

"I'm keen to try something different. I've been playing in the SPL for a long time and it's getting a bit boring.

"I remember sitting on the bench at Hamilton last season and there were about 2,000 punters there. That wasn't great.

"I enjoyed my time at Hibs but I think it's time for something different.

"In terms of my career, Celtic was the biggest move as it is a massive club. This is an interesting one, though, so it would be good to find out more.

"My wee one's 11 months and that's a big factor. It might be hard to bring your kid up there but I need to find out more about the place. I'm 28 now. Maybe I could do a couple of years in China and I'd still only be 30.

"They get gates of about 30,000, which is bigger than any club here outside the Old Firm. I'm looking forward to finding out more."

 
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