Espanyol’s China star Wu Lei takes pay cut to extend stay with Spanish club
- China’s most high-profile footballer is reported to be on equivalent salary of reserve team player in Chinese Super League
- The 28-year-old forward, who had agreed to halve his Shanghai SIPG wage to join the Spanish club in 2019, is praised by social media users
Chinese football star Wu Lei has extended his contract with Spanish side Espanyol, ending speculation linking him with a move to English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Despite reported interest from Turkish giants Besiktas and recently relegated Watford, Wu has stuck to his word and re-signed for the Barcelona-based club, they announced on Monday.
He has taken a pay cut to do so, according to the club’s official website.
Three players – Wu, Diego Lopez and Didac Vila – have agreed to “lower their salary considerably to adapt to the reality of the second division and shown their unquestionable commitment to the ‘blue and whites’ and their will to start a new period with the objective of winning promotion”.
Chinese media report that Wu took a pay cut to join Espanyol last year, earning €1 million (US$1.19 million) per year compared to his €2 million (US$2.38 million) at Shanghai SIPG.