Australia defender Trent Sainsbury has left Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning after his contract was terminated following mediation involving Professional Footballers Australia (PFA).
Sainsbury joined Jiangsu from Dutch club PEC Zwolle in 2016 before moving to Inter Milan -- also owned by Suning -- on loan when restrictions on foreign players were brought in by the Chinese authorities a year later.
He returned to China at the conclusion of the Serie A season and remained with Jiangsu until the start of this year, when he went on loan to Swiss side Grasshoppers.
"The PFA's legal department has provided advice to Trent since the conclusion of the World Cup," PFA chief executive John Didulica said in a statement.
"Trent has terminated his contract for just cause in accordance with FIFA regulations and the longstanding jurisprudence of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. As a consequence, he is now a free agent and entitled to sign with a club of his choosing."
In a statement, Sainsbury -- now looking to resume his career outside China -- thanked the PFA for their support and wished Jiangsu Suning all the best, adding: "I look forward to resolving my playing future as soon as possible."
He is the third Australian player to have had his contract with a Chinese Super League side annulled following the involvement of the PFA.
Last year, Robbie Kruse and James Holland left Liaoning following the union's intervention.
