Axel Witsel joins Tianjin Quanjian in China

Axel Witsel, who was on Juventus' radar for this winter transfer market, announced on Monday that he will be joining the world-class players currently playing in Chinese football, precisely at Tianjin Quanjian.

The 27-year-old Belgian midfielder played for Zenit St. Petersburg since 2012, when he was transferred from Benfica. "It was a very difficult decision because, on one hand, I had an offer from a great team and a club with the name of Juventus, and on the other hand, I had an offer that I couldn't refuse for the future of my family," he told 'Tuttosport'.

The player joins the highest-earning players in the world in the Chinese league, such as Argentine Carlos Tevez, Colombian Jackson Martínez, and Brazilian Oscar. The Belgian player will earn approximately 16 million euros per year in his new football stage.

"The Juventus executives have treated me like gentlemen and I am very grateful to them. I will continue to be a fan of Juve. I hope they win the Champions League."