Soccer-CSL side Shandong sign Leonardo from Urawa

Brazilian striker Leonardo has left Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds to sign for Shandong Taishan, the Chinese Super League club announced on Monday.

The 23-year-old forward has joined the Chinese FA Cup holders after spending a year with Urawa having previously finished as the top scorer in the second division of Japanese football with Albirex Niigata in 2019. Leonardo, who scored 11 times in 24 J-League games for Urawa last year, joins a Shandong side that is coached by former China international Hao Wei and features former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini.

Shandong’s plans for the new season suffered a blow earlier this month when they were excluded from competing in the Asian Champions League after the club’s license was withdrawn by the Asian Football Confederation due to "overdue payables".