Record-signing Hulk picks No. 8
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SHANGHAI SIPG’s new Brazilian signing, Hulk, will wear the No. 8 jersey.
“I chose the No. 8 despite being told that it was not a very successful number here,” the Brazilian said at his unveiling yesterday.
The vacant No. 8 jersey belonged to another Brazilian Davi Rodrigues, who joined Chinese League One side Shanghai Shenxin earlier this year after an unsuccessful season with SIPG.
“When I joined Zenit, they also told me that No. 7 was not a good number, but I proved them wrong,” said the former Zenit St Petersburg striker, who was Russian Premier League’s top scorer in the 2014-15 season with 15 goals.
The Brazilian thanked his new club for the “huge investment,” saying he will pay back with his performance.
“I have come to win titles. I’ll pay back the club by scoring goals and help my fellow teammates,” said Hulk, who got the name because of his resemblance to the green Marvel comics character.
SIPG general manager Sui Guoyang refused to reveal the transfer fee amount, but Zenit said earlier that the four-year deal was worth 55.8 million euros (US$61.9 million) — a new Chinese Super League record.
Hulk’s 55-million-euro transfer from Porto to Zenit in 2012 was also a record at that time.
Asked if he felt any kind of pressure with the record transfers, the Brazilian said he was always up for the challenge.
“People who know me will know that I’m always ready for challenges. Football is the same in every country, and I will do my best,” the 29-year-old Brazil international, whose full name is Givanildo Vieira de Sousa, said.
The fate of Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan is uncertain following Hulk’s arrival. Chinese regulations state that a club can have a maximum of seven foreign players, but only five players can be registered for matches.
“The club has multiple choices,” Sui said. “The final decision has not been made yet. Gyan is still an SIPG player. We will decide before July 15 (when the transfer window closes). We will also respect Gyan’s decision.”
SIPG has failed to muster a victory in its last six matches, including Wednesday’s 0-1 loss to Guangzhou R&F in an FA Cup match.
Hulk said he watched the match from his hotel room.
“I know the pressure is high, and it is a difficult period. I want to play as soon as possible.”
Sui said due to registration procedures, Hulk will not be available for SIPG’s CSL match against Hebei China Fortune on Sunday. The club is currently fourth in the CSL standing on 24 points — 12 behind leader Guangzhou Evergrande.
Being out from CFA Cup means SIPG, which is coached by former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, has to finish in top three in the league to book a berth in the Asian Champions League.
“I have talked to Elkeson (another Brazilian player), who gave me insides of the city and the club. It’s a new journey and I will get used to new challenges,” Hulk said.
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