Joel Griffiths’ permanent move to Beijing Guoan has been completed after an impasse between the player, the Chinese Super League club and the Newcastle Jets was resolved.
Griffiths spent the 2009 season on loan with Beijing Guoan where his brother Ryan also plays.
He returned to Australia recently but did not want to resume his career with the Jets, demanding a move to Beijing instead.
The dispute went to arbitration and now the clubs have finally achieved a financial settlement on Griffiths’ departure and he can take up his contract with immediate effect.
“We are glad that we maintained the position that we did with respect to this matter,” Jets CEO John Tsatsimas said.
“We were quite happy for the matter to have been finalised via Arbitration and were very comfortable in terms of the position we took.”
“After the hearing was concluded, the player’s management contacted the club the following morning in an attempt to find a resolution that was suitable to Newcastle Jets.”
“The subsequent offer made was more appropriate in our view.”
“It was vitally important that we took the stance to ensure that foreign clubs show the Hyundai A-League and its participating clubs the respect it deserves.”
“We are glad that this matter is finally at an end.”
“Newcastle was a very successful period for Joel in his career and we wish him every success at Beijing.”
The club said it is now determined to focus on its charge to the Hyundai A-League finals.
