Dedryck Boyata left Scottish Premiership champions Celtic to join Bundesliga outfit Hertha BSC Berlin over the summer.
Dedryck Boyata has admitted to the Daily Record that he turned his nose up at a money-spinning move to China when he was still a Celtic player.
In the summer of 2019, The Hoops were facing a huge challenge as they looked to keep their mitts on a Belgian international centre-half.
Boyata’s contract was coming to an end and, after winning four Scottish Premiership titles in green and white, the former Manchester City defender appeared to have his heart set on a fresh challenge.
But the experienced 29-year-old had no interest in walking away from European football in order to hoover up the cash in the Far East, rejecting offers from Chinese clubs before moving to the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin instead.
“When I was leaving Celtic and the offers came in, I spoke to (Belgium manager) Roberto Martinez,” said Boyata, who netted his third league goal for Hertha in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Paderborn.
“I had a lot of offers from clubs in China, but that was never in my thoughts. His advice was priceless and he was very happy to see me sign for Hertha.”
With Euro 2020 around the corner, Boyata is playing regular football in one of the continent’s top leagues, keeping himself in contention for a place in the Belgium squad as a result.
Though Martinez has made it clear in the past that he has no qualms about calling up those who are plying their trade in Asia, keeping faith with the likes of Yannick Carrasco and Axel Witsel.
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