Martinez is record-breaking move to China

Atletico Madrid’s Jackson Martinez is to join Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande in a 42 million-euro ($45.8 million) record-breaking deal announced Wednesday.

The Colombian striker’s fee is a new high for the Asian football transfer market.

In a statement, Super League champions Guangzhou said Martinez, 29, had signed a four-year contract.

Madrid also confirmed the move. “The Colombian forward, who came to our club last summer from Porto, has committed for the next four seasons with the current champions of the Chinese Super League and the Asian Champions League,” the Spanish club said in a statement.

The 29-year-old, one of the stars of the 2014 World Cup, scored just three goals in 22 appearances for Atletico following his move from Porto.

He is the latest high-profile player to join the Chinese league. Fellow Colombian Fredy Guarin, Brazilian Ramires and the Ivory Coast’s Gervinho are other Chinese signings this year.

Anadolu Agency