China's midfielder Shao Jiayi is to return to the German Bundesliga after Beijing Guo'an agreed to transfer terms with newly promoted Energie Cottbus, a Chinese newspaper reported yesterday.

The deal, netting Guo'an a transfer fee of 1.3 million euros (US$1.68 million), sends Shao to his second German club, after Guo'an loaned the 26-year-old to former division one club, TSV 1860 Munich in 2003.

"I'm really happy," the Beijing News quoted Shao as saying.

"I have to say once again I'm very grateful to Guo'an who have been a big help in arranging this transfer."

Despite finishing his playing contract with Munich 1860, Shao's transfer had been clouded by a financial dispute between the German club and Guo'an.

Last week Guo'an sued Munich 1860 for 600,000 euros for failing to make payments scheduled in Shao's loan deal.

The paper reported that the two clubs had terminated the loan contract, releasing Shao to play for Cottbus.

The report provided no details as to whether the legal dispute had been settled or would continue.

Should Cottbus pay up, Beijing Guo'an will have reaped 2.3 million euros from deals involving Shao since his loan to Munich 1860 in 2003.

Shao's agent was quoted by the Beijing News last week as saying that the newly promoted club was planning a "whole raft of cooperation" with Guo'an, including player development programs and tour matches in Beijing.

(Agencies via Shenzhen Daily June 7, 2006)