Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar. (Photo : Getty Images)
Newly-acquired Shanghai SIPG midfielder Oscar said that he is "happy" about his transfer to the Chinese Super League, adding that the China top flight could one day rival England's Premier League.
Oscar, 25, was acquired by the Red Eagles from English Premier League club Chelsea on Dec. 23 for a transfer fee of $73 million. Reports vary with regards to his actual salary with SIPG, but according to the Evening Standard it is about £500,000 ($608,000) per week after tax.
The 5-foot-11 Americana, Brazil native has not found the favor of Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte this season before the transfer as he was dropped off the Blues' starting XI. He has played only nine times in the squad's first 13 Premier League fixtures this season without a goal.
Oscar also said that the deal was "good" for all parties concerned and should all move forward.
"The transfer was good for me, for Chelsea and for Shanghai," the Brazilian said. "I'm so happy to come to the Chinese league."
"The Chinese clubs put a lot of money for the players to go to China and make the league more strong. They offered me and I was very happy to come," he added.
Shanghai SIPG already has fellow Brazilians Hulk and Elkeson when Oscar joined them. Right now, the team is being coached by former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas, who took over from Swede mentor Sven-Goran Eriksson in November.
When asked if the China top flight could one day become as good as the English top tier, Oscar said "If they continue in this way, maybe yes, because they have lots of good projects," via ESPN.
"Of course the Premier League (has higher) level of players in the world, but the Chinese guys are very good. They help the new players a lot, and I hope they continue this because I come to help," Oscar said.
SIPG recently added another foreign player to their side this winter as the team signed another former Chelsea player, defender Ricardo Carvalho, on Monday via a free transfer.
