World’s highest-paid volleyball player Zhu Ting gives up millions to return to China for 2020 Olympics preparation
- The 24-year-old is earning €1.5 million a year at her Istanbul club
- Zhu will join a Chinese team next season to prepare for Tokyo 2020 Games after helping VakıfBank defend their title
Chinese volleyball superstar Zhu Ting will leave her club VakıfBank Istanbul – and the big money she is earning in Turkey – to return to China to prepare for the Olympic Games next year.
Zhu, who helped VakıfBank defend their league championship last weekend, said she would end her three-year career in Turkey, according to Xinhua news agency.
The 24-year-old spiker, who led China to a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games, is the world’s highest-paid volleyball player after joining the Turkish club after the last Olympics.
She is earning €1.5 million (US$1.68 million) a year after making over €1 million in each of her first two years with VakıfBank.
Zhu told Xinhua she has enjoyed three good seasons in her first foray overseas in her professional career with the comprehensive support of VakıfBank.