Trent Sainsbury of PEC Zwolle (Photo : Getty Images)
Aussie football player Trent Sainsbury confirmed he will join Chinese football club Jiangsu Suning.
Sainsbury, who had been playing for Netherland's PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie since 2014, admitted he could not to turn down offers from Jiangsu Suning, which amounts to $1.5 million dollar in a span of three years.
"Chinese football is growing fast," Sainsbury told SBS.
"Clubs are paying big money for exceptional players and to help grow the league, making the local players step up their own game. It's only going to get better year by year."
The 24-year-old Sainsbury is aware of big opportunities in playing for the Chinese Super League, with different football clubs targeting big name players like Gervinho of Roma, Guarin of Inter Milan, Ramires of Chelsea, and Manchester City's Yaya Toure.
He said he thought long and hard before deciding to leave Europe for China, leaving an established football country like the Netherlands to be join fellow Aussies play in a new culture.
"Leaving Holland wasn't easy. PEC Zwolle have been a great club to me on and off the pitch. I will miss everyone involved at the club," Sainsbury added.
Socceroos James Troisi is also in the mix to play for the Chinese Super League after being approached by Lioning Whowon, who are looking to add an attacker in their team roster.
SBS further reported that the 27-year-old free agent has flown to China to discuss terms with Lioning, who finished mid-table last season.
Meanwhile, Ramires is set to join Jiangsu for an inflated amount of £25 million from the Chinese football club, reports ESPN FC. The transfer, which is expected to be finalized this week, is believed to be due to Ramires falling out of the first-team opportunities under Chelsea interim general manager Guus Hiddink.
John Obi Mikel is also linked to a transfer to China, but the report insisted the move is still speculative.
