Shenhua snares Italy's El Shaarawy

Italy forward Stephan El Shaarawy has agreed to join China's Shanghai Shenhua, the club announced on Monday, 10 days after it was reported the player wanted to stay at Roma.

Terms were not disclosed but Italian media reported El Shaarawy will earn a lucrative 15-16 million euros ($17-18 million) a year, while Roma will pocket a transfer fee that could reach 20 million euros ($22.5 million) according to Transfermarkt.com.

Sky Sport Italia reported in late June that the 26-year-old had rejected a move to the Chinese Super League struggler, with newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claiming Shenhua had balked at his demands to have input into choosing the club's coach and playing staff.