20 of the best foreign players to have played in the Chinese Super League

17 – Obafemi Martins

Despite his good form at Inter, Martins was displaced by Crespo and Ibrahimovic

Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins is a Nigerian national team footballer who began playing with Italian Serie C side AC Reggiana, where his performances caught the eye of Inter Milan. The Nerazzurri secured his signature in 2001, and he stayed on at the San Siro stadium for five years, scoring 28 times in 88 games. He was sold to Newcastle United in 2006, owing to the arrivals of Hernan Crespo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He stayed on at Newcastle for three years, until they got relegated.

In 2009 the forward signed with Bundesliga champions VFL Wolfsburg. Following one season in Germany, he made the move to defending Russian champions Rubin Kazan. The birth of his child prompted him to request a move to England to be closer to his family, which he was granted. He joined Premier League side Birmingham City on loan for one year. The Nigerian then had a short spell at Levante before spending three successful years in the MLS playing for Seattle Sounders. In February 2016, Martins officially signed for Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, where he has netted five times in 17 appearances.