Shakhtar's former midfielder Willian moves to Anji "to change atmosphere"

KYIV, February 4 /UKRINFORM/. FC Shakhtar Donetsk's former attacking midfielder Willian of Brazil has said that his move to FC Anji Makhachkala was not because of money, according to Sport-Express.

"Do not believe those who claim that by choosing Anji I was seduced by big money. Absolutely not. I earned enough in Shakhtar, where, by the way, everything suited me, and where everyone treated me well. I won with this club many titles, not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe. But it's time to change an atmosphere. After all, I spent in Donetsk five and a half years," said Willian.

A reminder that last week Willian joined the team from the capital of Dagestan. According to media reports, the amount of transfer was 35 million, and the annual salary of the player will be two and a half million euros. This is the third in value transfer in the history of Russian football - after last year's signing of Hulk and Witsel by FC Zenit. Willian has long wanted to leave the Donetsk side to move to Europe. In interviews, he has repeatedly said he does not want to play in Donetsk any more. Shakhtar managers negotiated Willian's transfer, but tough financial conditions imposed by the Pitmen did not find support from potential European customers.

According to the UEFA official website, “Willian, an attacking midfielder who can play on the wing, has certainly achieved a lot since moving to Ukraine from SC Corinthians in August 2007 for around 14m. He won the double in his first season and was a key part of the side that lifted the UEFA Cup in 2009, beating SV Werder Bremen 2-1 in extra time in the Istanbul final.”