Bakambu triggers Villarreal release clause amid China rumours
With reports linking DR Congo international Cedric Bakambu with a record-breaking move to China's top flight, the striker has ended his Villarreal stay by triggering a clause in his contract.
The Yellow Submarine announced the decision Wednesday, adding, "the club wants to thank the player for his dedication and professionalism, and wishes him the best of luck for the remainder of his career."
#VillarrealTV 📺 | ¡Tus goles ⚽, tu alegría 😄, tus celebraciones con el fimbu 🙅♂️! Hasta siempre, @Bakambu17, ha sido un verdadero honor. pic.twitter.com/XZHkcKjxYI
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) January 17, 2018
An increasingly common transaction in football, Bakambu's decision to terminate his deal would likely involve a fee paid to Villarreal. That would help the club linked with him, Beijing Guoan, skirt rules imposed by the Chinese Premier League to regulate transfers of foreign-born players.
Bakambu, 26, joined Villarreal in 2015 from Bursaspor, scoring 45 goals in all competitions for the Castellon outfit. This season, the 16-time capped international bagged a team-best nine goals in 15 La Liga outings.