Former Shakhtar Donetsk star Willian denies joining Anzhi for money

Anzhi Makhachkala’s latest signing Willian has denied rumours that he joined the Russian club seeking big money. The 24-year-old, who was continually linked with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, signed a four year contract with the Dagestan outfit, following a €35 million transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk. Willian, who is now the third most expensive transfer in […]
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sambafoot_admin
2013-02-04 17:31:00

Anzhi Makhachkala’s latest signing Willian has denied rumours that he joined the Russian club seeking big money.

The 24-year-old, who was continually linked with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, signed a four year contract with the Dagestan outfit, following a €35 million transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Willian, who is now the third most expensive transfer in Russian football history, has strongly denied that he moved to cash-rich Anzhi for financial gain.

He said: “Shakhtar offered me to stay with them at any price.

“I’ve earned quite a lot of money in Donetsk. With Shakhtar I also won a set of titles not only in Ukraine but in Europe also. I felt comfortable there. But the time for change has come.”

The Brazilian added that he was happy to join Anzhi, describing the rise of the club an ambitious and a long-term project.

Willian added: “My conversation with Anzhi owner Suleiman Kerimov decided everything.

“After that I decided to join Anzhi. The club management are not only thinking about short-term gains, they really want to create a serious football infrastructure in Dagestan, to lift the game in the republic to a higher level.”

The Brazil international arrived at the club’s mid-season training camp in Marbella over the weekend, but will have to wait until after the winter break to make his club debut.

Source: Fifa.com