Paulinho leaves Guangzhou because he is unable to enter China

The former Barcelona player is now a free agent and will be able to sign for another team

Brazilian soccer player Jose Paulo Bezerra, better known as PaulinhoHe announced his departure from the Chinese club Guangzhou due to the impossibility of returning to the Asian country by Travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

On his official Instagram account, the midfielder, known in Europe for his time at Barcelona and Tottenham, explained that he was an “early expulsion” but this “unfortunately, The pandemic is severely changing global dynamics“.

“Because of the pandemic, the club and I thought it was best to come to an agreement. So, Here ends my role as a player in Guangzhou. I know you will always be in my heartPaulinho explained in a video.

The footballer recalled his time at Guangzhou FC – formerly known as Guangzhou Evergrande – where he played 172 matches, scored 74 goals and won eight titles during his two phases (2015-2017 and 2018-20).

Chinese media are talking about the sadness felt by the Cantonese fans over the Brazilian’s departure, but they also note that it is also a “great financial relief” for the Guangzhou football team after the recent rules passed by the Chinese Football Association, which received 600. million yuan ($92.8 million, €78.2 million) is the annual maximum that each club can spend.

And so Paulinho, 33, joins his compatriot Taliscawho left Guangzhou last month and joined the Saudi victory.

The player is now a free agent and may sign for another team, but he hasn’t revealed his next destination at the moment.