Chinese Super League squad Guangzhou R&F FC completed the $8 million signing of attacking midfielder Eran Zahavi from Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Tel Aviv FC last Wednesday.

The move was said to be an Israeli transfer record as the 28-year-old Rishon LeZion, Israel native also received a two-and-a-half year contract worth $12.5 million from the Blue Lions, according to Daily Mail Online.

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Zahavi, who was Maccabi Tel Aviv's captain and also the Israel national team skipper, had spearheaded his former club to three straight Israeli Premier League crowns from 2012 to 2015 before deciding to move to the Far East and show his wares in the Chinese first division association football competitions.

The 6-foot goalscorer also broke the 61-year-old IPL individual scoring record last season by scoring 35 goals in 36 appearances in the Israeli top flight.

In four seasons with the Yellows, he had scored a total of 125 goals in 168 games in all competitions since he was acquired from Italian Serie A side US Città di Palermo during the winter of 2012.

He had suited up for two seasons in Palermo, from 2011-2012 to 2012-2013, but his stint was unfruitful as he only scored twice in 30 appearances during his first season with the Eagles and have only appeared in three games in the next before he decide to return to Israel in December of 2012.

"Today I start a new chapter in my career," Zahavi posted in his social media account on June 29, the day of his transfer, as per the Jerusalem Post.

"I decided to post a photo of myself in a Maccabi Tel Aviv shirt because the first thing I want to do is to thank the club for the most amazing and beautiful three-and-a-half years of my career," he said as he wore his former club's jersey in the said photo.

Zahavi had a successful debut game with the Blue Lions, scoring once and assisting twice during an impressive 4-2 win over Shijiazhuang Ever Bright where he came out as a substitute at the 60th minute.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Guangzhou R&F FC, Eran Zahavi, Maccabi Tel Aviv FC