After a stellar 2009/10 A-League season with Gold Coast United, followed by an impressive FIFA World Cup campaign with the New Zealand national team in which he scored a crucial goal against Italy, Smeltz has been the subject of constant transfer speculation.

Rejecting offers from a string of other clubs, the Kiwi striker opted for a lucrative move to China, saying it was a new challenge at an important time in his career.

"I would like to thank Gold Coast United and everyone involved with the club for the support they have provided to me since I arrived," Smeltz said.

"I am looking forward to the new challenge at this stage in my career, but I am also sad to leave and will be watching out for Gold Coast's results; they will always be a club that is close to me.

"Gold Coast United is a special club in a special part of Australia and I am leaving with some great memories from last season. The players are fantastic and will continue to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Hyundai A-League.

"I would like to reserve a special thank you for Clive Palmer and Miron Bleiberg. They brought me to the club and gave me all the support I needed to be the best I could be on the pitch.

"They have also ensured that this move to Shandong has gone smoothly and they have both been very supportive of me of me and my family in regard to this transfer," he said.

Gold Coast United CEO, Clive Mensink, wished Smeltz well for the future and thanked him for his superb contribution to United's first season in the Hyundai A-League.

"Shane was fantastic for us in our first campaign and although we are naturally sorry to see him go, he leaves with our very best wishes for this new chapter in his career," Mensink said.

He continued: "His goal scoring last season set a new record for the competition and his performances in the FIFA World Cup Finals carried on that good form.

"I'm sure he will continue to find the net on a regular basis for his new club."

United Head Coach Miron Bleiberg will now begin his search for Smeltz's replacement with just under a month to go before the start of the new season.

Bleiberg said: "We wish Shane all the luck in the world with this move to China and although we are keen to bring in a replacement, we will not be making any hasty decisions.

 "Shane did a great job for us, but this transfer was not entirely unexpected and now we have to move on with our preparation for the new season."