Niall McGinn left Aberdeen following the expiry of his contract. Jeff Holmes/PA Images via Getty ImagesFormer Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn has joined South Korean side Gwangju after his deal at Pittodrie expired.
The 29-year-old, who earned his 50th cap for Northern Ireland last season, was a free agent following five years with the Dons and has chosen to move to Asia for the next step in his career.
A link with K-League club Gwangju came about because the father of McGinn's former Celtic teammate Ki Sung-yueng is the club's president.
Ki's father met McGinn in Belfast and persuaded a player whose career began in his native Northern Ireland to become the first from his country to play for Gwangju.
In a post on Twitter, McGinn said: "I am absolutely delighted to have signed for Gwangju FC.
"Since I met the club president a few weeks ago in Belfast I have been researching Asian football and Korean football in particular. I have been very impressed with what I have discovered.
"This is a new, exciting challenge for me, one that is very different to anything I have experienced in my career to date.
"When I joined Aberdeen in 2012 I had no idea of the great times that lay ahead. I want to thank Craig Brown, Archie Knox, Derek McInnes and Tony Doherty. I also want to thank all other staff at the club.
"The fans at Aberdeen also deserve immense credit and thanks. They took me to their hearts and I took them to mine.
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