Martins says he is leaving Seattle, joining Chinese club in Shanghai

SEATTLE (AP) — Obafemi Martins has posted on social media that he has decided to leave the Seattle Sounders and join a Chinese club in Shanghai.

Martins posted a lengthy goodbye to Seattle on his Twitter account Wednesday night. Martins said it's "time for a new challenge" and that he has decided to join Shanghai Shenhua of the Chinese Super League while thanking Seattle for his opportunity with the Sounders. The Sounders had no comment.



The 31-year-old has been with the Sounders since 2013 and scored 15 goals in 21 regular-season games last year. Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey said in an audio statement released by the team Sunday: "Obafemi's not here with us in this phase of camp. We've had an approach from a Chinese club for his services."

Seattle is preparing for its 2016 opener against Mexico's America on Feb. 23 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.