Maurice Ross heading for China

MARK McGhee has agreed to cancel Maurice Ross's contract to allow the Aberdeen defender to join China's Super League Champions Beijing Guoan.

The former Rangers full-back's short-term contract was due to run to 23 January but Aberdeen have let him leave early.

Ross made it clear after Saturday's Scottish Cup win against Hearts that financial reasons were the major motivation for moving abroad.

He enjoyed spells in Norway and Turkey but is now bound for the Chinese capital in time for the start of their season next month. Beijing Guoan won the title last year and play in the 62,000-capacity Workers Stadium.

McGhee said: "Maurice is off to Beijing. He is in Edinburgh to sort out his visa and then off to China to seek his fame and fortune. We are sad to see him go because he had so much more to give. Saturday was his best game for us and he has a lot to offer, so I am disappointed.

"We had an understanding that this was what he was going to do. He was always going to go somewhere, whether it was Turkey, Egypt, Azerbaijan or China

"I cannot quite see what the attraction is but it is his decision."