Vágner Love has admitted it was “not an easy decision” to leave CSKA Moscow and join Chinese outfit Shandong Luneng.
The former Brazil international has left the Russian club in a reported €12 million deal, after helping them to the title and qualify for the Champions League last season.
Love, who has been on the club’s books since 2004 and signed a new deal earlier this year, says he is making a sacrifice moving to China, but feels it is the best for his future.
“It was definitely not an easy decision for me,” the 29-year-old said in statement. “I had dreamed about playing with my team-mates again in the Champions League and fighting for another league title.
“The club did everything to keep me, but I have to accept that my career will not last forever and I need to think about my family and the future.
“I am making a sacrifice to some extent, but I will never receive an offer like this again. I have agreed to move, but my heart and soul will be with CSKA forever.”
The Chinese Super League outfit claimed that negotiations were drawn out for three months before completion, and CSKA admitted that selling the forward has been difficult.
“This decision wasn’t made easily by the club or Vagner Love,” the capital-based club said in a statement.
“The forward has been offered unprecedented personal contract terms, while CSKA received a very lucrative offer from the Chinese side.
“Vagner has made a huge contribution to all of CSKA’s recent successes but we understood this was a once-in-a-lifetime offer.”
