Over the past few years, Chinese Super League has invested billions of naira on foreign players into the country’s league. With the likes of Nigerian superstars such as John Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo, Obafemi Martins singing a water-mouthwatering contract in the country, but none of them match Cédric Bakambu who just signed a contract worth £65.4 million (over N32 billion) with Chinese Super League club, Beijing Guoan. This makes the 26-year-old the most expensive African footballer ever!
However, before the deal was finalized on Wednesday, Cédric Bakambu who’s of Congolese origin previous played for Spanish side Villarreal, where he scored 46 goals in 101 appearances.
Hello Twitter. pic.twitter.com/ZeYxG3xpl9
— Cédric Bakambu (@Bakambu17) March 1, 2018
Though, over the last few months, the talked of him signing with the Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan, tops major headlines of news sites, due to the DR Congo’s insistence on a £35.4 million (over N17 billion) release clause. Goal reports that with the condition now met, Bakambu will be with the Chinese club for four years.
The record for Africa’s most expensive player was previously held by Gabonese, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who moved from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal for £55.4 million (over N28 billion).
While this certainly means more money for Bakambu, some fans on Twitter think it’s not the right move for him.
Why on earth did Bakambu move to China??
— Hephzibah (@_mo_G6ix) March 1, 2018
#Bakambu signed with Beijing Guoan from China.
All players leave from Europe for money?!!
WHY??🤔— Roberto (@roberto_madaras) March 1, 2018
Now Bakambu has gone to China ffs, another quality player that has ruined his career
— ✨ (@cfcEthan) March 1, 2018
Here are the list of Africa’s most expensive footballer of all time.
Cedric Bakambu has completed a £65m transfer to Beijing Guoan—making him the most expensive African player of all time 🤑 pic.twitter.com/a6bEOxLQFf
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 1, 2018