Keita signs for Dalian Aerbin in China

Dalian Aerbin have confirmed the signing.

Barcelona announced on Saturday that the Mali international had exercised a clause in his contract that allowed him to cancel the remaining two years of his contract and leave the club on a free transfer.

Less than 24 hours later, the player has sealed a move to China, putting pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal with Dalian Aerbin.

The figures involved have not been disclosed but club owner Zhao Mingyang earlier denied reports that Keita would collect €14-million per season, explaining that the player would be earning roughly that amount over the duration of his time at the Jinzhou Stadium.

"We have talked a whole day [Saturday] and it is nearly confirmed. We are waiting on Li Ming's final message," Zhao told reporters on Sunday morning.

The Blue Hawks supremo added that the player will arrive in China on July 15, a day after the club's local derby against Dalian Shide.

Keita joined Barca from Sevilla in 2008 for a reported €14-million but had been reduced to the role of a squad player in recent seasons.