The former Rangers, Everton, Hull City and West Ham striker moved to China in February 2016.
Nikica Jelavic in action for West Ham
Nikica Jelavic scored 36 goals in 55 games for Rangers, 11 goals in his first 6 months at Everton and he is Hull City’s all time top scorer in the Premier League. The Croatian isn’t the most graceful of footballers, but he has an eye for goal and a highly effective first time shot. Speaking to FIFA TV, the former Rangers man described his time at a number of his former clubs and his move to China.
The 31-year-old has now been in China for 7 months, and seems to be enjoying himself in East Asia. Unlike the likes of Hulk, Ramires and Graziano Pelle, Jelavic isn’t playing in the Chinese Super League. Instead, he finds himself plying his trade in the Chinese First Division, the countries second tier.
Nikica Jelavic up against against Motherwell’s Shaun Hutchinson during his Rangers days
When asked about swapping London for Beijing, Jelavic said, “It is not an easy decision, but to be honest, I decided I wanted to change something in my life. Six years of the UK it was time to go, and then the great offer came from China and I decided to accept.”
“It’s a new challenge, China is growing in football and I really wanted to be a part of it. It’s a different level you know, [compared to] for example England or European football but as I said already, China is growing. They want to invest and they are investing and they’re going to invest more.”
“It’s a big club,” Jelavic said, on the topic of his new club, Beijing Renhe FC, who were founded in 1995 and relegated from the Chinese Super League in 2015.
Nikica Jelavic enjoyed a prolific start to life at Everton
Speaking about his former clubs, Jelavic reserved particularly fond memories for his time at Everton, and particularly his first half a season with the Toffees.
“The first six months at Everton was quite unbelievable,” said Jelavic, who scored 11 goals in 16 games in that time.
“The next 18 months was a bit, you know, so-so, it was still okay but not what I expected and not what the fans or manager expected from me.”
Jelavic is Hull City’s all time leading Premier League goal scorer
“Hull City was great as well, it was good. West Ham […] it was a great six months at West Ham.”
The forward spent just over a season and a half at Hull City, but had numerous injury problems. His goals-to-minute ratio was in fact excellent during the 2014/15 season, and had he stayed fit, Hull City may well have survived in the Premier League
Jelavic’s time at West Ham was very brief. He made 14 appearances for his former national team manager and compatriot Slaven Bilic, but the vast majority were off the bench, and he managed only a solitary league goal.
Jelavic speaks highly of his time at Everton
Ultimately, Jelavic was in no doubts over what was the highlight of his time in England, stating, “Definitely the Everton period was the best time of my Premier League football.”
Jelavic has settled in well at Beijing Renhe, scoring 6 goals in 15 outings, although one might expect an international forward to score regularly in China’s second tier.
Aiming for promotion back to the Chinese Super League, Renhe currently find themselves in fourth, two places and eight points off the promotion places.
Jelavic is aiming for promotion this season
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