Wednesday 4 January 2017 13:40, UK
Axel Witsel is the latest European-based player to move to the Chinese Super League after agreeing to join Tianjin Quanjian from Zenit St. Petersburg.
The Russian club confirmed a deal had been reached for the Belgium international midfielder and said Witsel will sign a five-year contract at Tianjin, who recently won promotion to China's top league.
The 27-year-old, who has won 78 caps for Belgium, will be coached by Italy's 2006 World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro.
Witsel joined Zenit in September 2012 and spent five seasons in St. Petersburg, playing 180 times and scoring 22 goals.
He helped the side win the Russian league title, the Russian Cup and the Russian Super Cup.
Italian media quoted Witsel this week saying that he had rejected the chance to join Serie A champions Juventus after receiving "a crucial offer for my family that I couldn't turn down" from Tianjin.
A statement on Zenit's website read: "Everyone here at Zenit wishes to thank Axel for his contribution to the club's history."
Witsel joins the likes of Carlos Tevez and Brazilian midfielder Oscar who have recently secured moves to the cash-rich Super League.
Zenit sold Brazilian striker Hulk to Shanghai SIPG for €55.8m in June.
