Former Sunderland loanee Ty Browning has left Everton - making a shock switch to the Chinese Super League with Guangzhou Evergrande.
Browning spent the whole of last season on loan with the Black Cats along with his Toffees team-mate Brendan Galloway. And while he managed to make more of an impression than the full-back, he was still ultimately below par and could not help stop the rot as Sunderland were relegated for a second consecutive season.
Browning has spent the first half of this season recovering from a nightmare 12 months by regularly turning out for Everton's second string and he was linked to a number of EFL clubs in the final days of the January transfer window with another temporary move looking likely.
But with that failing to materialise, Browning has now made a surprise move to China, with an undisclosed fee being agreed between the two sides.
Reacting to the move on Instagram, Browning wrote: "Thanks for all the positive messages. I want to thank Everton for the past 14 years. It’s been a pleasure to be part of the club and wish them all the best for the future.
"I am delighted to be joining Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C in China and can’t wait for the challenge ahead."
The move is allowed outside of the English transfer window because the window in China is open ahead of the 2019 campaign which kicks off on March 1.
Browning is joining last season's Super League runners up who are managed by Italian 2006 World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro - a fantastic centre-back in his heyday nonetheless.
As well as looking for another strong season in the league, finishing second will also mean they compete in the Asian Champions League too.
