Chinese Super League takes on softer side as Burak Yilmaz allowed to return to Turkey to fight for custody of daughters
Striker leaves Beijing Guoan to rejoin Trabzonspor for initial fee of €4 million after finding the net eight times in just 11 games this season for capital side
For all its world record transfer fees and mega salaries, the Chinese Super League took on a much more human side this week as Beijing Guoan potentially sacrificed their own aspirations to allow Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz to return to Trabzonspor to resolve a custody battle involving his two daughters.
Yilmaz joined Beijing from Galatasaray at the start of the 2016 season and, after scoring 11 goals in 17 appearances, was on course to better that tally this year after finding the net eight times in just 11 games.
But despite the Super League transfer window closing last month, meaning fifth-placed Beijing are unable to sign a replacement, 32-year-old two-time Turkish league-leading scorer Yilmaz returned to Trabzonspor on Wednesday for an initial €4 million (HK$37 million), which could rise to €5.5 million.
“Due to insolvable family problems, Yilmaz expressed his wish to return to the Turkish league and we also received an offer from Trabzonspor,” said Beijing.
“We weren’t inclined to let a core player like him go and tried to persuade him to stay, but football is part of life, yet life isn’t all about football.
“We understand his difficulty and respect his decision and, after seeking the head coach’s opinion and getting his permission, we granted Yilmaz’s request.