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https://scmp.com/sport/article/2059197/belgian-ace-axel-witsel-spurns-juventus-join-chinas-tianjin-quanjian
Sport

Belgian ace Axel Witsel spurns Juventus to join China’s Tianjin Quanjian

Media report midfielder could earn up to HK$146 million a year at his new club

Axel Witsel (right) has played 80 times for Belgium. Photo: Reuters

Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel has become the latest high-profile player to move to China, joining promoted Tianjin Quanjian after turning down an offer from Serie A champions Juventus.

Russian club Zenit St Petersburg said the 27-year-old player, now at the peak of his career, would sign a five-year deal with the Chinese club.

Witsel had been chased by Juventus since the previous transfer window, according to Italian media reports.

He was quoted by Italian media on Monday saying that his decision to move to China rather than Turin had been a “really difficult” choice.

“On the one hand, there was a great team and a top club such as Juventus, but on the other, there was an offer which I could not refuse for the sake of my family,” he said.
Axel Witsel said he had been faced by a difficult choice. Photo: Reuters
Axel Witsel said he had been faced by a difficult choice. Photo: Reuters

It has been widely reported that Witsel, who has won 80 caps for Belgium and played at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016, could earn 18 million euros (HK$146 million) a year at his new club.

Last week, former Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus forward Carlos Tevez joined Shanghai Shenhua from Boca Juniors in his native Argentina in another big-money move which saw the Chinese club reportedly pay 84 million euros.

In another move, Brazilian Oscar joined Shanghai SIPG from English Premier League side Chelsea, while other recent arrivals in China have included Italy striker Graziano Pelle, Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi and Colombia forward Jackson Martinez.
Juventus have apparently been chasing Axel Witsel’s signature for some time. Photo: Reuters
Juventus have apparently been chasing Axel Witsel’s signature for some time. Photo: Reuters

Witsel will be coached at Tianjin by Italian World Cup winning defender Fabio Cannavaro.

A gifted all-round midfielder with an aggressive streak, Witsel was raised at Standard Liege before moving to Benfica in 2011. He spent one season with the Portuguese side and then joined Zenit where he played 180 matches and scored 22 goals. (Writing by Brian Homewood in Berne; Editing by Toby Davis)