China's Qingdao Hainiu on Thursday signed a contract with former Red Star coach Miloljub Ostojic of Yugoslavia for coaching the first-division club in the next season.

Hainiu president Qin Ning said his club also hired Yugoslavians Branislav Jovannov and Branko Vojinovic as assistant coaches on the advice from Ostojic.

Ostojic, 50, resigned from the Red Star post last September after the former Champions Cup winner produced a string of poor results in the domestic and international competitions.

He was successful in a brief period with Obilic and guided the club to the Yugoslavian championship title in 1996. Ostojic was also named the country's Best Coach for the same year.

The goal for Qingdao next season is to finish among the top six on the league standings while scoring a better result in the Chinese Football Association Cup, the club said.

Qin said if Ostojic's performance is satisfactory, his contract will be extended for one year.

Hainiu made a league record last season after it replaced its coach for four times. It finished 10th on the final standings.