Footballer of the year Igor Sartori’s switch to R&F Hong Kong from champions Tai Po confirmed
- The Brazilian forward helped Wofoo Tai Po clinch their maiden league championship this season
- Sartori expressed his intention to leave the club in early May after the triumph
Hong Kong footballer of the year Igor Sartori, who helped Wofoo Tai Po clinch their maiden league championship this season, has confirmed his departure from the club to join big-spending R&F.
There were previous suggestions the forward would leave Tai Po after two seasons in Hong Kong, but Sartori refused to comment on his future until an announcement from both clubs on Monday.
On their official Weibo, R&F wished their new player success during his stay at the Guangzhou-based club, who finished second in the league this season, just behind Tai Po.
“We believe the arrival of Sartori will help strengthen the depth of the squad, and we hope he will blend in with the rest of the squad as soon as possible in a new environment, ultimately helping the club achieve good results in the new season,” read the R&F statement.
R&F gave no further details on the terms of the deal, but there was speculation Sartori could make up to HK$300,000 a month at his new club, a huge increase on what he earned at Tai Po.
Sartori is a youth product of the Zico Football Centre in Rio. The 26-year-old is the son of former Flamengo striker Alcindo Sartori, who played for J.League sides Kashima Antlers and Kawasaki Verdy in the 1990s.