Brazilian striker Elkeson (middle) playing for Guangzhou Evergrande during the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. (Photo : Getty Images)
Reigning Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC has reportedly sold their Brazilian top scorer Elkeson de Oliveira Cardoso, or simply Elkeson, to domestic rival Shanghai SIPG FC, citing "national glory" as the main reason behind the surprise move.
Xinhuanet reported that "a source close to Elkeson" has revealed that the Southern China Tigers has agreed to the transfer for a record fee of about €18 million to €20 million.
The five-time CSL winners announced in a statement that "for the purpose of supporting Chinese teams to compete in the AFC Champions league, and for the national glory, we agreed Elkeson's transfer to Shanghai SIPG club".
The 26-year-old striker was acquired by Guangzhou in December of 2012 from then Brazilian Serie B squad Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas for only €5.7 million. With his speculated transfer fee to Shanghai, it seems that his former club has profited a lot from the deal as well.
"The premium of Elkeson created a record high number in Chinese transfer market, the club got back the 5.7 million investment, and acquired times of profit," Guangzhou mentioned in their statement, disclosing that they also acknowledge money as "a factor in the sale" of the Coelho Neto, Maranhão, Brazil native, as per the South China Morning Post.
Elkeson had appeared in 111 games for the Southern China Tigers from 2013 to 2015, scoring 76 goals and dishing out 24 assists in all competitions during the said time span as one of the team's main scoring options.
The 5-foot-11 forward is a major contributor to Guangzhou's consecutive domestic title runs during his three-year stay as he never experienced a season in China without a championship for the club.
He is also responsible for netting the lone and winning goal during the team's 1-0 win in the final of the 2015 AFC Champions League in November of last year against UAE club Al-Ahli Dubai FC. It was the club's second Asian Champions League victory in the last three years.
Elkeson also won the Chinese Super League Golden Boot award during his first two seasons with the club and the Chinese Football Association Footballer of the Year in 2014.
