After some last-minute paperwork issues, Wilkinson last night flew out for the east China city, on the outskirts of Shanghai, where he will link up with his new teammates before the start of the Chinese Super League season on Saturday, April 2.
 
“Everything has come through, it was a bit touch and go there for a while but [I'm] looking forward to the challenge," he said before leaving.
 
“It’s going to be a good experience and a new challenge for me, and at the same time it keeps me ticking over in the off-season.”

The 26-year-old’s first taste of the Chinese Super League will be at his new club’s impressive 61,000-seat capacity Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre against Asian Champions League heavyweights Beijing Guoan, and he says he’s excited about the experience he’s sure to have in the world’s most populous nation.
 
“I was there last week for two days but the Nanjing city is one of the biggest cities in China with six or seven million people, so it is a big city, and the team is new to the top league," he said.

"They were in the second division a few years back and they have come up to finish mid table in the last two seasons, so it’s an aspiring club.”
 
With the next A-League season not restarting until October, Wilkinson says it’s vitally important for players to continue training and keep up their match fitness during such an extended off-season.
 
“That’s the main reason I’m going, to have six or seven months of an off-season is just too long," he said.

"All of the boys here are just going to be training with nothing to train for so going over there gives me an opportunity to play games.

"I’ll come back in July with the chance to have a bit of a break and be fresh for pre-season with our boys.”
 
But the Mariners skipper will return to Australian sooner rather than later for his impending wedding just a few weeks away.
 
Wilkinson added: “The Mrs has taken it very well to be fair.

"Everything is pretty much organised now, Brooke has got to do a couple of things here and there but we’re just looking forward to the big day.

"I’ll be back two days before hand so hopefully everything will be organised and I can just roll in and turn up.”