Alex Teixeira ends Chinese naturalisation bid as the Brazilian joins Al Hilal on a two-year contract, report says
- Social media reports that the former Jiangsu Suning player will leave China after four years having failed to find a new team in the Chinese Super League
- It says Teixeira has signed a €13 million, two-year contract to play in the Middle East, having given up hopes of one day representing China
Alex Teixeira’s hopes of one day representing China have ended, according to transfer news Twitter outlet Sqenf Foot.
A breaking news item said the Brazilian winger has signed a two-year contract with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal and will move from Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning, who he joined in 2016. “Alex Teixeira has just signed 2-year deal with Al Hilal tonight,” it said. “He was free agent. He will gain €13M for 2 years.”
Teixeira scored 10 goals in 19 games in all competitions last season as he helped Jiangsu Suning to the CSL crown.
Teixeira, who turns 31 on Wednesday, was reportedly keen to stay in the CSL and become a naturalised Chinese citizen. However, that would have meant signing a new four-year contract to fulfil the seven-year residency rule at a cost of around €80 million (US$98 million) to whoever would sign him.
One of the highest paid players in China, Teixeira was reportedly earning €450,000 a week and was keen to move to another CSL side with Shanghai SIPG showing interest.