Top scorer Alan swaps Salzburg for China
Friday, January 16, 2015
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The UEFA Europa League will resume next month without its top scorer from the group stage after Alan left FC Salzburg for Chinese outfit Guangzhou Evergrande FC.
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Brazilian striker Alan, this season's UEFA Europa League top scorer with eight group stage goals, has left FC Salzburg for Chinese outfit Guangzhou Evergrande FC.
Alan is the second key Salzburg player to head for pastures new in the winter transfer window, after Kevin Kampl completed a move to Borussia Dortmund earlier this month. Alan, 25, departs the Austrian champions having scored 93 goals in 129 appearances since joining from Fluminense FC in summer 2010. He won two Austrian titles and two domestic cups with the club.
"Alan informed me of his wish to agree to the extraordinary offer from Guangzhou Evergrande," said Salzburg sporting director Ralf Rangnick. "Following some constructive talks with the Chinese club we managed to reach an agreement and complied with Alan's wish."
Salzburg, who topped UEFA Europa League Group D with 16 points, face Villarreal CF in the round of 32. The first leg takes place in Spain on 19 February.
