Image: GEPA pictures/ Matthias Trinkl (GEPA pictures)
Mark Pink changes to Shanghai Port FC in the Chinese Super League with immediate effect: the Bundesliga club confirmed the departure of the captain and goalscorer during the game against Salzburg (0:3). Pink was no longer in the squad of the Carinthians due to illness. The 32-year-old currently leads the league’s goalscoring charts with 16 goals. Marko Arnautovic was under contract with Shanghai from 2019 to 2021.
Pink would have been a free transfer in the summer. An extension was obviously not feasible for Austria. “It’s no secret that we would have liked to extend the expiring contract with ‘Pinki’ beyond the summer and would have included him in our club after his active career. He made the decision early on not to accept this offer,” explained the managing director Matthew Imhof. During the winter break, the people of Klagenfurt were given the go-ahead for a change
From a sporting point of view, the departure hurts, “but we can’t afford to ignore the economic aspect,” said Imhof. The Klagenfurt received a transfer fee. Pink said in a broadcast from Klagenfurt: “It was always my dream as a footballer to get to know another country and another league. I’m looking forward to it and will of course continue to follow Austria closely as a fan.”
“The best for everyone involved”
After that meant Pink in the Sky interview, the change was “the best for everyone involved. The offer was really good, primarily for me, but also for Klagenfurt.” According to his own statements, the attacker received a one-year contract with an option for a further year. “I am very grateful that I can do this and that it worked.” Pink scored 59 goals for the Klagenfurt team in 121 games.
The Chinese championship starts on April 15th. Shanghai ended the preseason in fourth place.
Source: Nachrichten
