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Published: 17:25, August 11, 2022
Espanyol confirms departure of Chinese striker Wu Lei
By Xinhua
Published:17:25, August 11, 2022 By Xinhua

Espanyol's Wu Lei celebrates his goal during a La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and RC Celta in Cornella, Spain, April 10, 2022. (JOAN GOSA / XINHUA)

MADRID - Spanish La Liga club Espanyol confirmed on Thursday morning that Chinese international striker Wu Lei is leaving the club to return to his homeland.

The 30-year-old is returning to Shanghai Port, the club he used to play for before coming to Spain, scoring 151 league goals in 296 appearances.

Wu arrived in Spain in January 2019 and scored 16 goals in 126 appearances for Espanyol, becoming the first ever Chinese player to score in La Liga in the process

Wu arrived in Spain in January 2019 and scored 16 goals in 126 appearances for Espanyol, becoming the first ever Chinese player to score in La Liga in the process.

Although he was popular with fans of the Barcelona-based club, Wu found himself increasingly on the fringes of the team in the last two seasons, playing just 457 minutes of league football last season and 835 the year before, as the club played in Spain's second division.

READ MORE: Espanyol's Wu Lei named 2021 Chinese Footballer of the Year

The arrival of striker Joselu from Alaves in the summer further reduced Wu's appearances this season, and he did not participate in the club's pre-season training camp or travel with the squad for a friendly in England.  

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