Zenit have announced Axel Witsel has left the club to sign a reported £255,000-per-week deal at Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian.

The Belgium international, who has been capped 78 times for his country, has signed a five-year deal after rejecting a move to European giants Juventus.

Witsel, who will play under Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro at his new side, has followed Carlos Tevez and Oscar to Asia.

Belgium international Axel Witsel (left) has decided to reject a move to Juventus

Witsel (left) has left Zenit to seal a move to Fabio Cannavaro's Tianjin Quanjian

WITSEL'S CAREER 2006–2011: Standard Liege 183 appearances, (42 goals) 2011–2012: Benfica 49 (5) 2012–2017: Zenit 180 (22) Advertisement

Russian side Zenit said of the midfielder's move: 'Thanks Axel Witsel for the time spent in St. Petersburg and we wish you good luck at your new team.'

Witsel, 27, has revealed he turned down a move to Italian giants Juventus because of the money he was offered to join the Chinese Super League.

Many have questioned Witsel's decision to reject the chance of joining one of Europe's elite clubs but the midfielder has explained why a move to China is so appealing.

Witsel is quoted as telling Italian publication Tuttosport: 'It was a very difficult decision because on one hand there was a great team and a top club like Juventus.

Witsel will play under former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro when he completes his move

FIVE HIGH-PROFILE MOVES TO CHINA Oscar - £52m to Shanghai SIPG Carlos Tevez - £71m to Shanghai Shenhua Hulk - £46m to Shanghai SIPG Ramires - £25m to Jiangsu Suning Alex Teixeira - £38m to Jiangsu Suning Advertisement

'But on the other there was a crucial offer for my family that I couldn't turn down.

'The leadership at Juventus have always behaved like gentlemen with me and I can only be grateful to them.

'I will cheer for Juventus and I hope they can win the Champions League. Then who knows, maybe one day in the future our paths will finally meet.'

Cannavaro's newly promoted Chinese Super League outfit will compete with both the Shanghai sides.

Tevez will play under Gus Poyet at Shanghai Shenhua while Oscar has teamed up with Andre Villas-Boas at Shanghai SIPG.

Carlos Tevez (left) and Oscar (right) have both sealed moves to the Chinese Super League