Sammir Takes a Pop at Niko Kovač as he Heads off on Multi-Million Dollar Deal to China

Former Dinamo Zagreb and Croatia international Sammir is set to join Chinese club Jiangsu Sainty in a deal that is set to earn him 10 million euros over three years…

The Brazilian-born naturalised Croatian, who currently plays for Getafe in Spain’s Primera, says that the offer was just to good to refuse.

“I am happy. It was a surprise decision, but I am convinced that I have done the right thing,” Sammir told daily Vecernji list, “I am going to a league where salaries are maybe the best in the world and this offer I could not say no to,” he said.

Sammir, who was given his Croatia debut by former coach Igor Štimac during their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, has not been able to earn a call up since returning from the World Cup in Brazil. The 27-year-old is not holding his breath for his next cap.

“That story for me is over, I do not think about the national team anymore. I played excellent at Getafe and the coach did not select me, but he called up some players who are not even up to my knees (in ability). Nevertheless, it was nice whilst I was an international, and I am thankful that he selected me for the World Cup in Brazil,” said Sammir. (photo / Drago Sopta HNS)