A former Premier League winner at Chelsea has earned a staggering amount of money from a lucrative contract after moving abroad seven years ago.
The international star was part of the Blues side that won the Europa League in 2013, and league titles in 2015 and 2017, but opted to leave England for financial reasons and after falling out of favor at Stamford Bridge.
The timing of the star's departure meant he was able to sign a lucrative £400,000-a-week contract in a growing Asian league, a deal he extended just before a change in government rules meant that future players coming into the league would not would be like that. well paid.
And after growing up in poverty in Brazil, the handsome income from playing top-flight football means they are financially secure for life, despite interest from clubs in his home country and also from Europe.
He has won two titles with his new club – which underwent a minor name change in 2021 – and their latest success earlier this year means they have reached the AFC Champions League Elite League stage for next season.
A former Chelsea Premier League winner has made crazy money from a lucrative contract
The international star decided to leave England at the end of 2016 for financial reasons
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Former Chelsea star Oscar has made an insane amount of money since leaving London for Shanghai seven years ago.
The Brazilian raised eyebrows when he opted to leave the Premier League for the Chinese Super League in 2016, when he was at the peak of his career at the age of 25.
But the star, who has always been honest about leaving for the Asian league for financial security for his family, was able to join the top flight in China – and then sign a contract extension before the rules changed, which would have limited his earning potential.
Oscar reportedly earns €24 million a year, and in December 2019 he extended his contract for another five years, just before the rules changed.
A player salary cap was introduced in 2020, with foreign players able to earn just €3m (£2.7m) per year – but Oscar's contract was exempt from this as it was signed under the old rules.
Ex-Chelsea star Oscar has made an insane amount of money since moving to Shanghai in 2016
The Brazilian star signed a new contract in the Chinese Super League before the rules changed
In the seven years he has worked in China so far, he has earned a whopping 168 million euros in wages alone.
He currently earns around £400,000 a week playing for Shanghai Port, the new name of Shanghai SIPG, the side he joined in 2016 in a £60million transfer from Chelsea.
Oscar has made 207 appearances for his Chinese club so far, scoring 61 goals and helping them win two Chinese Super League titles and one Chinese FA Super Cup. .
Carlos Tevez, Ramires, Alexandre Pato, Axel Witsel and Paulinho are among the names who have also been attracted to the Chinese Super League, but the new financial limits mean other players may be more reluctant to join.
Earlier this year Oscar said Premier League Brazil that the Chinese offer – plus his difficulty in adapting to a substitute role at Chelsea – meant he never regretted the chance to play in Asia, despite the possibilities of returning to Europe in the meantime.
Oscar said: “So I lost space in the team, the opportunity came to Shanghai and I embraced it. I have no regrets. I had a great journey there, I was able to do everything I dreamed of in my career and I am also very happy here.'
'When I left Europe at the age of 25, I always received an offer to return.
In the seven years he has worked in China so far, he has earned a whopping 168 million euros in wages alone
The Shanghai Port player has won two league titles since moving to China seven years ago
“But nothing that hit too close or that I really put my foot down to go back to. When I played for Chelsea for five years, I fulfilled my dream of playing for a big club in Europe.'
The winger joined Chelsea from Brazilian side Internacional and made 144 appearances for the Blues before leaving.
With Shanghai Port, he was part of the squad that won the 2023 edition of the Chinese Super League, qualifying his team for the AFC Champions League Elite League stage.
His contract runs until the end of the season, meaning Oscar will either have to accept a lower wage in China or take on another challenge.
