As exclusively revealed by au.fourfourtwo.com last week, the Jets and the Chinese Super League side agreed terms after four days of talks at an independent arbitration hearing arranged by the FFA and PFA.

Guoan had wanted to sign Griffiths for an initiially agreed $350,000 on a two year deal but Jets owner Con Constantine said that offered had been removed after it was first turned down.

But talks on Friday finally saw the two sides agree on a $450,000 figure for a total of $950,000 including the initial $500,000 loan fee last season.

It hinged on Beijing finding the cash by today - and this afternoon Newcastle confirmed Griffiths' exit.

"We are glad that we maintained the position that we did with respect to this matter. We were quite happy for the matter to have been finalised via arbitration and were very comfortable in terms of the position we took," Jets CEO John Tsatsimas said.

"After the hearing was concluded, the player's management contacted the club the following morning in an attempt to find a resolution that was suitable to Newcastle Jets. The subsequent offer made was more appropriate in our view.

"It was vitally important that we took the stance to ensure that foreign clubs show the Hyundai A-League and its participating clubs the respect it deserves."

Tsatsimas added: "We are glad that this matter is finally at an end. Newcastle was a very successful period for Joel in his career and we wish him every success at Beijing."