Guangzhou break bank for Martinez
Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande smashed China's transfer fee record Wednesday when they announced a deal to secure Atletico Madrid's unsettled Colombian striker Jackson Martinez for 42 million euros ($46 million).
Martinez, 29, is the latest Europe-based player to move to the cashed-up Chinese Super League and was described as a "goal poacher" and "fox in the box" in a Chinese-language statement on the club's website.
"The moment has arrived to start a new stage in my career," Martinez told Atletico's website.
"The club and I have spoken in the last few days and we are agreed this is the best thing for everyone."
The purchase broke the week-old Chinese record fee of 28 million euros, paid by Jiangsu Suning to acquire Brazilian midfielder Ramires from Chelsea.
It lifted the Chinese Super League's total spending during the current transfer window to 203.9 million euros, according to website transfermarket which tracks commercial dealings in the sport -- second only to the English Premier League.
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