Brentford midfielder Nico Yennaris has tweeted to say he has left to join Chinese club Beijing Sinobo Guoan.

Yennaris, whose mother and grandparents were born in China, joined Brentford in 2014 and has played 157 times for the club.

“I would like to say a big thank you to Brentford and all the staff for the last five years,” he said.

“It’s a special club with amazing fans and I’ve enjoyed every minute.

“So many great memories with the club which will stay with me forever. Good luck for the rest of the season.”

I’m delighted to announce I’ve signed for Beijing Sinobo Guoan FC as a Chinese citizen. It’s an exciting opportunity for me to play in the birth country of my mother and grandparents. Lastly, big thanks to Arete Ltd for helping make all this happen.”

The midfielder born in Leytonstone his Father a Cypriot joined Arsenal aged seven and progressed through the Club’s Academy to feature four times for the senior side. His first Premier League appearance for the Gunners came in January 2012, against Manchester United, where he impressed filling in at right-back.

An England youth international, Yennaris had been a regular for Arsenal’s under-21s , he captained the under-19s in the NextGen Series, leading the team to the Finals weekend of the elite European youth competition.

He then went to Brentford where he had a very successful career.

Our Michael Yiakoumi seen here with Nico Yennaris says “on behalf of Parikiaki Newspaper we would like to wish Nico continued success.”