Contra arrives in Guangzhou to coach the R&F soccer club

Guangzhou R&F introduces Cosmin Contra as its new head coach, Jan 5, 2014. [Photo by Li Jiangwen/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Romanian coach Cosmin Contra has arrived in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, to coach a Chinese soccer club to prepare for the upcoming AFC Champions League and the domestic competition.

The Romanian, 39, a former player who served mainly as a right back, has signed a two-year contract with the Guangzhou R&F, which is owned by local property giant R&F Group, according to the Guangzhou club.

Before his arrival in Guangzhou on Monday afternoon, Contra finished his last La Liga game as a manager with Getafe, which saw a 1-2 home defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

The Guangzhou side did not release details of the contract. However, Spanish media reported earlier that the Romanian will earn five times his salary in Getafe when he joins the Guangzhou R&F.

"We will earn more if we win more games in the future," he said.

The Guangzhou R&F, which was managed by Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson last season, will compete for the first time in the AFC Champions League in February.

"I am younger than him (Eriksson). I have a stronger desire to win games and do the job better," Contra said.

Contra joined Getafe in March last year. Under his reign, Getafe finished an impressive 2-2 tie against Spanish giant Barcelona last season.