Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande have officially announced the signing of Botafogo forward Elkeson for a fee of €5.7 million.
Elkeson, 23, has signed a four-year contract with the double winners which will begin on 5 January, when he is due to link-up with Marcello Lippi’s side for pre-season training.
The attacking midfielders transfer was announced on the club’s official website, where a long article was published extolling the virtues of the Brazilian player. The article stated that it is hoped the signing will continue to help Chinese football grow in the coming years.
Elkeson joined Botafogo in 2011, having come to the fore at Vitoria the previous season. After a slow start to the 2012 season with the Alvinegro, the sale of strikers Herrera and Sebastian Abreu led to Elkeson being used as a makeshift striker where he was a success—ending the season as the club’s top scorer.
Elkeson will join fellow Brazilian Muriqui at Evergrande next season, while Paraguayan Lucas Barrios and Argentine Dario Conca also look set to continue as part of the club’s four permitted non-Asian players.
Source: Guangzhou Evergrande FC
