Marek Hamsik has finally ended his long association with Napoli to seal a move to Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang.
The Slovakian moved to the Stadio San Paolo in 2007 from Brescia and has played a major role in the club’s rise up the table in recent seasons.
Already a key part of the Napoli team prior to Maurizio Sarri’s arrival in 2015, the midfielder hailed the Chelsea boss for taking his game to a new level during their time together in Naples.
Claiming that he had improved him technically and tactically in his three seasons working under the 60-year-old, many believed that Hamsik would be the perfect player to complete Chelsea’s midfield alongside Jorginho and N’Golo Kante.
Marek Hamsik has signed with Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang from Napoli, per @FabrizioRomano pic.twitter.com/dfhizqiP05
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 14, 2019
Ross Barkley, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have all rotated in the final slot in the middle of the park this season but not one of them has made the position their own.
Integral to Sarri’s Napoli side with his runs from midfield to support the forward line, he would also drop back to help out Jorginho and Allan.
Well, one thing for certain is that a move to Stamford Bridge to link up with Sarri again won’t be happening as he has signed for Dalian Yifang.
It was clearly an emotional move for the player and he penned a heartfelt tribute to Napoli supporters after bringing down the curtain on his 12 years in the Italian city.
“I have to apologise to all you Azzurri fans,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I wanted, hoped and dreamed of saying goodbye to you. A big lap around the field, embraced by your applause.