Napoli captain Hamsik to join Dalian Yifang on three-year contract

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Napoli captain Marek Hamsik is on the verge of completing his move to Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang, with a confirmation of the deal expected in the coming days, according to several Italian media outlets.

The 31-year-old Slovakian midfielder played in the Italian side's 3-0 win over Sampdoria on Saturday, and after the game head coach, Ancelotti confirmed that his skipper is seeking a move to China.

Napoli's Marek Hamsik shakes hand with coach Carlo Ancelotti after being substituted during the Serie A clash with Sampdoria at Stadio San Paolo on February 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

"There are talks in progress and we are weighing it up together with the player," said the former Real Madrid and AC Milan boss.

"Napoli have a lot of respect for Hamsik, as he wrote history, but if he wants to have another experience, we tend to want to make him happy."

"Hamsik does not have a substitute in the squad, but we have other players who interpret the role with different characteristics," he added.

Hamsik became Napoli's all-time leading scorer in December 2017 when he overtook Diego Maradona's record of 115 goals. /VCG Photo

It is understood that Hamsik will pen a three-year deal with Yifang worth 30 million U.S. dollars, ending his 11-year stay in Naples.

Hamsik joined Napoli from Brescia in 2007 and has made 520 appearances for the team. The Slovak international overtook club legend Diego Maradona in December 2017 as the club's record goalscorer with 121 strikes.