Adelaide United defender Daniel Mullen has signed with Chinese Super League club Dalian Aerbin.
The 22-year-old centre-back has already flown to China to sign a two-year-deal with the newly-promoted side.
Dalian, who are midtable in China s top flight, have recently made it clear they will release Australian Mile Sterjovski to open up a spot for Mullen.
Adelaide s Football Director Michael Petrillo confirmed the move is set to be finalised and that the club will benefit from the fee received for the transfer.
Dalian Aerbin came to us with a substantial fee for Daniel and he expressed his desire to head to China, Petrillo said.
It was a decision we did not take lightly because Daniel is an integral part of our squad and while it is always sad to lose a player and a character who has been fantastic both on and off the field, it is a wonderful opportunity for him to further his career.
Providing his medical is successful, we wish him the best of luck and thank him for the contribution he has made during his time here.
Mullen, who has played once for the Socceroos, leaves the Hindmarsh Stadium after 66 A-League appearances with four goals.
He also played in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008, in which he found the back of the net in their historic 2-1 win over Oceania champions Waitakere United.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory have recruited 20-year-old striker Theo Markelis on a two-year deal.
Markelis left Australia at the age of 15 to join the academy of La Liga club Valencia before playing for Vicenza in Italy s second tier last season.
Victory will be Markelis first club in the A-League and his new coach Ange Postecoglou is convinced the young forward will make a mark in Australia.
His record in the youth ranks over there (Europe) was exceptional and he averaged 15 goals a season during his 3 years at Valencia, Postecoglou said.
