Former Chelsea and Real Madrid center-back moves to China to play.

Ricardo Carvalho joined Shanghai SIPG on a free transfer after his contract with Monaco expired.

"Shanghai SIPG has completed the signing of center-back Ricardo Carvalho," the AFC Champions League Twitter account announced on January 9.

Carvalho is the next big name to join the wave of football stars flocking to China.

Earlier this month, the Chinese Super League club attracted attention with a major signing of midfielder Oscar, paying Chelsea $76 million in transfer fees. Shanghai SIPG's new coach, Andre Villas-Boas, is also a former Chelsea player.

Shanghai SIPG has not officially announced the signing of Ricardo Carvalho. However, he has been training with the club for the past few days, according to coach Villas-Boas.

The 38-year-old center-back has been a free agent since leaving Monaco in August 2016 after the Ligue 1 club refused to renew his contract.

When asked about the information surrounding Carvalho, coach Villas-Boas told the Chinese media: “I have a good relationship with Carvalho, a player who has had a fantastic professional football career. His record leaves me with no doubt about his quality. I was also impressed with the calm attitude he showed on his first day of training with Shanghai.”

Meanwhile, assistant coach Xie Hui shared on social media: "Ricardo Carvalho, it's an honor to have you in our squad."

Carvalho was a member of the Portuguese team that won Euro 2016. He has won many other major titles with Porto, Chelsea, and Real Madrid.

Carvalho was a member of the Portuguese team that won Euro 2016. This was the latest achievement in the collection of accomplishments of the central defender, who was once a favorite of manager Mourinho. He won three Portuguese league titles and a Champions League title with Porto before moving to Chelsea and winning three Premier League titles with the London club.

After six years at Stamford Bridge, Carvalho joined Real Madrid and won the La Liga title in the 2011-12 season before moving to Monaco in 2013.

According to VNE