Yaya Toure’s career was seemingly over after his agent announced last week that the Ivorian was ready to retire.

The former Manchester City man has since refuted those claims though and it looks like his illustrious career is about to take an interesting turn.

“There has been a lot of confusion about my future recently. I want to make it clear here that I love football and I’m still in contention to play for a few more years,” said Toure on Twitter.

“Yes, I’m starting to prepare myself for coaching badges but full-time coaching is not what I’m thinking now.

“I am now ready and focused to take new challenges in playing football! And don’t worry once the time has come, I will announce my retirement personally and officially by myself!!”

So what next for Yaya?

Well, it probably isn’t what you would expect.

Having run the midfield at Barcelona before an immensely successful spell at the Etihad, Toure looked to be winding down his career at Olympiacos.

However, he has been without a club for six months now having left the Greek side - but it seems his time as a free agent is over.

News has emerged in The Sun that the three-time Premier League champion is set for a medical at Chinese second-division side Qingdao Huanghai.

Yes, you read that right - Toure is off to play second division football in China.

Huanghai are currently top of the division and will be hoping that signing the 36-year-old will drive them towards clinching promotion.

It’s a bit of a far cry from Champions League finals and Premier League run-ins but Toure will be happy to have found a way to prolong his career.

You can be sure he’ll be earning a pretty penny too as he eyes out a comfy retirement.