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Du Wei was hauled off after only 45 minutes against Clyde

Celtic have confirmed that China defender Du Wei will be returning to Shanghai Shenhua after failing to win a permanent move to Glasgow.

His agent Edmund Chu had earlier told BBC Sport that Shenhua had turned down Celtic's bid to extend his "trial" period until the end of the season.

A Celtic spokesperson said: "Clearly, we're disappointed that an agreement couldn't be reached to keep Du Wei.

"Everyone at the club sincerely wishes him all the very best for the future."

The 23-year-old signed on a four-year deal, but a clause gave Celtic the opportunity to send him back in January if he failed to impress.

Du Wei made a disastrous debut in the Scottish Cup defeat by Clyde, but he had expressed his desire to remain with the Scottish Premier League leaders.

But Canadian-based Chu said: "Du Wei will go back to China because Celtic want an extension of his temporary deal and that does not suit Shanghai.

"It is very disappointing that it has ended this way, but Du Wei is a professional and and after leaving Scotland in the next few days he will concentrate on starting his career again in China.

"He is an important player for his club and, under Celtic's new terms, it makes no sense for them to allow him to stay in Glasgow.

"It would take a miracle for anything to be resurrected at this stage and I don't really believe in miracles.

"So we are going through the process of arranging to for Du Wei to return to Shanghai.