Reigning AFC Champions League conquerors and Chinese Super League champion Guangzhou Evergrande has allowed the transfer of their top Brazilian scorer Elkeson to join league rivals Shanghai SIPG in a record deal on Thursday. The move will strengthen Shanghai's line-up and increase the side's chances of continental glory.

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"For the purpose of supporting Chinese teams to compete in the AFC Champions league, and for the national glory, we agreed Elkeson's transfer to Shanghai SIPG club," the five-time CSL champion outfit said in the announcement.

Taobao (Guangzhou Evergrande club nickname) revealed in the announcement that money had also been a factor in the sale of the Brazilian striker, who netted 77 goals in three trophy-laden seasons in China.

"The premium of Elkeson created a record high number in Chinese transfer market, the club got back the 5.7 million investment, and acquired times of profit," the club said.

"Shanghai SIPG club paid 18 to 20 million euros to the Guangzhou club," a source close to Elkeson told Xinhua.

The affluent Asian football powerhouse Evergrande club spent 5.7 million euros to bring the professional Brazilian footballer to China in 2012.

The 26-year-old striker, who first played for Vitoria and Botafogo before moving to the well-heeled Guangzhou Evergrande in December 2012, scored the winning goal for the team in the AFC Champions League final last November, helping Taobao to win the Champions League twice in three years.

The Guangzhou, Guangdong-based side is the first and only Chinese football club to win the premier club tournament in Asia, the AFC Champions League twice, in year 2013 and 2015 respectively. Taobao is also the first ever football club in China to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup, making its first appearance in 2013 in Morroco.

Shanghai SIPG (Shanghai International Port Group) finished second place in the 2015 Chinese Super League season. The club is based in Xuhui, Shanghai and the Shanghai Stadium can accommodate over 56,000 people.

TagsElkeson, 2015 AFC Champions League Final, AFC Champions League, FIFA CLub World Cup, Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club, Chinese Super League, Shanghai SIPG, Taobao, Shanghai Stadium, Chinese football