Twenty-nine-year-old Brazilian striker Hulk is set to smash the Asian transfer record fee, previously held by Brazilian Alex Teixeira, as he completes his $61.2 million move from Zenit St Petersburg to Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG.
Hulk will reportedly earn in excess of $42,000 per week with the Chinese club.
In February, Chinese club Jiangsu Suning paid $50 million to secure the services of Teixeira from Shakhtar Donetsk. Hulk’s form for Brazil has been patchy, he’s scored only 11 goals in 46 international appearances, but he’s scored 75 goals in 144 appearances for Zenit, including 17 league goals last term.
Hulk was part of Brazil’s disastrous Copa America Centenario campaign, his part limited to one substitute appearance in Brazil’s shocking defeat to Peru.
Hulk’s goals were unable to secure Champions League qualification for Zenit next season, and the Brazilian has leapt at the chance of a massive payday in China.
Shanghai SIPG are managed by former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and their squad contains the likes of Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan, fellow Brazilian Elkeson and Argentine Dario Conca.
The CSL is currently at the midpoint of its 2016 season, with heavyweights Guangzhou Evergrande at the top of the table. Shanghai SIPG currently sit in fourth, one place below qualification to the Asian Champions League.
Other key foreign players in the league include Demba Ba, Fernandinho, Gervinho, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Wagner and Fredy Guarin.
(H/T: FOX Sports)
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