Hulk to pocket Incredible £320,000-a-week after Zenit accept £45million offer from Shanghai SIGP for Brazilian ace
Former Porto forward will become ninth-highest paid player in world football once he completes medical and moves to China
Hulk is set to earn an incredible £320,000-a-week when he completes his move to Shanghai SIPG, according to reports.
The Chinese Super League club, who are managed by Sven Goran Eriksson, are rumoured to have had a £45.75million bid accepted by Zenit St. Petersburg for the Brazilian, who has flown to the Far East for a medical.
Once the reported transfer goes through, he will become the ninth highest-paid footballer in the world ahead of Luis Suarez and just behind Yaya Toure.
While he slots in at number 18 behind Zinedine Zidane on the list of most expensive players of all-time, overtaking Mesut Ozil.
Eriksson’s job at Shanghai is under threat with fans calling for ‘Svexit’ after dropping points at home this weekend following Tianjin TEDA’s late equaliser.
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And the mega-signing of Hulk may just appease the club’s disgruntled supporters.
Hulk is latest big-name star to move to China, following the likes of Jackson Martinez, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Paulinho and Ramires.
The 29-year-old will find former Sunderland forward, Asamoah Gyan, and Dario Conca among his team-mates at Shanghai SIPG.
Givanildo Vieira de Sousa — who is better known known as ‘Hulk’ due to nickname given to him because a likeness to a Brazilian actor who played the comic hero in a 1970s TV show — spent three years in Japan before signing for Porto in 2008.
The muscular forward is known for his strength and incredibly powerful shot.
Hulk was once a target for Europe’s leading clubs but moved to Zenit in 2012 for £33million.
His form didn’t wane and he scored home and away as the Russian side knocked Liverpool out of the Europa League in 2013.
Despite continuous interest from some of Europe’s big clubs, Hulk appears to have made up his mind to finish his career in China.