Cangzhou Lions dealt another blow: Škoric leaves, Locadia may go to Turkey
Recently, Cangzhou Lions captain Škorić terminated his contract with the club due to non-payment of salary, an incident that once again brought the issue of unpaid wages for Chinese Super League teams to the forefront. Školjic's departure is just the tip of the iceberg, the team's other foreign aid Lokadija is also about to embark on a new journey. According to overseas media, Locadia has reached a preliminary agreement with a club in Turkey and will not renew his contract with the Cangzhou Lions, and is expected to formally bid farewell to Chinese soccer at the end of the year.
Turkish media pointed out that "ASPOR Locadia's agent is in Turkey to assist him to negotiate with the new club, and the player himself has expressed his desire to return to European competition. Lokadia's contract with Cangzhou Lions will naturally end after the Super League season, so the new owner will not have to pay a transfer fee. Currently, the club most closely linked with Locadia is Turkish Super League giants Fenerbahce, who see him as a potential replacement for Batshuayi.
This season, Locadia has been a key attacker for the Cangzhou Lions, making 24 appearances and contributing seven goals and six assists. However, the Cangzhou Lions' financial situation has been bleak over the past two years. Earlier this year, the team lost its top center forward Jose due to salary arrears, while Školjic also left the team for the same reason. At the moment, Cangzhou Lions seem to be having trouble letting go of Locadia, but the players' decision to seek a new outlet after their contracts expired was unexpected, and it is unknown if unpaid wages or other disputes are involved behind the scenes.
The 29-year-old Locadia was a member of the Dutch national youth team and is one of the few experienced players in the midfield. He has twice helped Eindhoven win the Dutch Eredivisie title and joined Premier League side Brighton in 2018 for a €15 million transfer fee. This season, as a mid-to-low-table wide player for the Cangzhou Lions, Locadia has been impressive in his performances and achievements. However, in this day and age, it doesn't seem to be easy for a well-known foreigner like him to make a long-term career in the Premier League.
