Central Coast Mariners have confirmed that Bernie Ibini has joined Chinese club Shanghai SIPG.

The 20-year old striker has penned a three-year deal with the Chinese Super League outfit after passing a medical which was undertaken on Sunday.

"Shanghai SIPG have made me feel very welcome," Ibini said.

"I feel this is a great opportunity and a new chapter for myself. While it is not the move to Europe everyone was expecting, I think Australians have seen through the Asian Champions League that the Chinese Super League is of a strong standard.

"I think it is a little step up and maybe I have to reach my goals in a bit of a different way. That's a challenge I'm up for. Shanghai SIPG understand that I have ambitions to get to Europe and will help me in the best way they can to reach that goal, just as the Mariners did."

During his spell with the Mariners, Nigerian-born Ibini scored 15 goals in 74 appearances.