MADRID, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona on Wednesday confirmed that defender Javier Mascherano is abandoning the club to sign for Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune.

The price has not been made official and Mascherano will join Hebei on Jan. 26.

The Argentinean leaves Barcelona after six and a half season and has played 334 matches for the Catalans winning 18 titles, including four Spanish League titles, four King's Cups and the Champions League on two occasions.

Mascherano was originally signed by Barcelona as a midfielder, but dropped back into defense, where he has spent most of his career at the Camp Nou.