MAREK HAMSIK will join IFK Goteborg on Monday, following former boss Rafael Benitez out the door at Dalian Pro.
The Napoli legend joined Dalian in 2019, following 12 glittering years in Serie A.
Marek Hamsik, who has 125 caps for Slovakia, will move to IFK Goteborg after quitting ChinaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But following new salary cap rules in the Chinese Super League, Hamsik, 33, has become one of a number of high-profile stars to leave China this year.
Hamsik’s current deal, thought to be worth around £150,000-a-week, still has another nine months to run.
But according to Fabrizio Romano, he is on the verge of joining IFK Goteborg on a free transfer.
Formerly Napoli’s all-time leading goalscorer, prior to being overtaken last year by Dries Mertens, Hamsik managed just five strikes in 45 appearances in China.
The Slovakian is just the latest high-profile export to leave Dalian, with Benitez, as well as Nicolas Gaitan and Yannick Carrasco, having opted to return to Europe in recent years.
Chinese Super League teams now have to abide by a new salary cap.
Previously, teams had the ability to unleash extraordinary spending power, with Oscar having signed for Shanghai Port FC on a £400,000-a-week deal from Chelsea in 2017.
The likes of Hulk, Marko Arnautovic, Paulinho and Mousa Dembele have also made the move, although clubs now can’t offer what they used to be able to.
Rafael Benitez left Dalian in JanuaryCredit: Getty – Contributor
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While current contracts remain valid, new foreign recruits can’t be paid more than £51,000-a-week, as the league aims to place focus on improving their own homegrown players.
Upon announcing the rule change, CFA chief Chen Xuyuan said: “Chinese Super League club expenditure is about 10 times higher than South Korea’s K-League and three times higher than Japan’s J-league.
“But our national team is lagging far behind.”
Hulk left Shanghai Port FC at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
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The best goals from Hulk at Shanghai SIPG in 2020 as striker leaves Chinese Super League
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
