It turns out money does actually talk. Chinese football has undergone a rather frightening revolution in the last few months. With the government seemingly fully supportive of clubs spending more money as they pour funds into Chinese grassroots football, some huge names have arrived in Asia. We've had the likes of Jackson Martinez, Gervinho, Alex Teixeira and Ramires all switching Champions League football for a taste of life in the Chinese Super League. There was also rumours circulating that Chelsea were forced to turn down a crazy offer for their Brazilian playmaker Oscar. If you're thinking that big names only began to fly into China within that recent time period, however, you'd be horribly wrong. There are some players that made the move across continents before it became the seemingly trendy thing in the January transfer window of 2016. It really is surprising just how many players have plied their trade in the Chinese Super League during the 21st century, especially given the lack of coverage it gets in Europe. Here's 10 players who moved to China (and left again) before it was cool; featuring a couple of Champions League winners, a fair few Football Manager legends and, erm... a Scottish guy.
Journalism student hopping between London and the North-East. Boxing enthusiast and Football Manager addict. Was diagnosed with supporting Sunderland AFC as a child.
