Wu Lei: ‘Chinese Maradona’ attracts more than 40m viewers in China for 12-minute Espanyol La Liga debut

Wu Lei: ‘Chinese Maradona’ attracts more than 40m viewers in China for 12-minute Espanyol La Liga debut
Espanyols trip to Villarreal in La Liga attracted more than 40million viewers in China hoping to catch a glimpse of their new January signing.The Catalan club signed Wu Lei from Shanghai SIPG a player who has been dubbed the ‘Chinese Maradona’.2

New Espanyol signing Wu Lei

The 27-year-old made a substitute appearance in the 2-2 draw at Villarreal watched by an astonishing amount of people.Domestically, the game only attracted 177,000 viewers but this was dwarfed by the interest in the Far East.Spanish newspaper Marca report that the total audience for all 17 of their league matches is just over seven million.2

More than 40m viewers in China watched Wu Lei’s debut

But the 1.8million signing appears to be a masterstroke by Espanyol in raising their profile in China.The club sold 2,000 replica shirts with his name and number on the back in the 48 hours after his signing was announced.Their social media following has also seen an increase of 20,500 outside of China and this figure exceeds half a million in the country. Espanyol are owned by Chinese billionaire Chen Yansheng and he is keen to raise the profile of La Liga in his home country.The transfer is not just for publicity, though, as he netted 27 goals in 29 games for Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League last season.He averaged around a goal every other game for the Shanghai side where he netted 151 times in 296 matches.The forward has also represented China 63 times and scored 15 goals.

Ms de 40 milions de persones van veure el debut de Wu Lei a la Xina.Ms de 40 millones de personas vieron el debut de Wu Lei en China.4000. https://t.co/Y8n04YTjk3#RCDE | #Volem | #EspanyoldeBarcelona pic.twitter.com/8FC9RnI7dO— RCD Espanyol (@RCDEspanyol) February 7, 2019

Wu has reportedly been scouted by the likes of Barcelona while Wolves were tipped to sign him last summer.He was dubbed the ‘Chinese Maradona’ by a former coach and has received praise from the likes of Marcelo Lippi and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.Lippi, the former Italy boss, who now manages in China, said: Wu has been performing very well lately, no matter whether it is in the league or with the national team. Im very satisfied with his performance. His effort on the pitch was clear to all and he always creates opportunities at key moments.Wu also caught the eye of interim Manchester United manager Solskjaer, who was at Molde at the time.He said: If he moves to Molde, I think he can improve well enough to play for an English Premiership side in a year.

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Espanyol's trip to Villarreal in La Liga attracted more than 40million viewers in China hoping to catch a glimpse of their new January signing. The Catalan club signed Wu Lei from Shanghai SIPG - a player who has been dubbed the 'Chinese Maradona'.
Wu Lei's Espanyol debut attracts 40 million viewers in China

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Wu Lei: 'Chinese Maradona' attracts more than 40m viewers in

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For Espanyol followers anticipating Wu Lei to be the "Chinese language Maradona" there will probably be disappointment. These sufficiently old will bear in mind the Argentine taking part in throughout city within the blue and crimson of Barcelona.
Wu Lei: Espanyol and China forward is making an impression in

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Wu Lei: Espanyol and China forward is making an impression in La Liga yet Wu Lei has made an impact in La Liga like few others this season. which was played a few days before Wu's debut
Wu Lei: Espanyol and China forward is making an impression in
sportstoft.com/soccer/wu-lei-espanyol-and-china-forward-is-making-an-impression-in-la-liga/
He's only played 464 minutes, made five starts and scored one goal, yet Wu Lei has made an impact in La Liga like few others this season. After signing him for two million euros in January, Espanyol said Wu's official presentation "had a reach of 350 million people in China".
Chinese Super League - talkSPORT

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Espanyol look to have pulled off the steal of the January transfer window with the Euro2 million (US$2.26 million) deal for China striker Wu Lei, if the mind-boggling marketing numbers surrounding his debut are any indication. Wu came off the bench to play just 12 minutes of Espanyol's 2-2 draw away to Villarreal in Spain's top flight La Liga
Wu Lei - China's Maradona, or soccer's Yao Ming? Espanyol's

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Wu Lei: 'Chinese Maradona' attracts more than 40m viewers in China for 12-minute Espanyol La Liga debut The Catalan club signed the 27-year-old striker for £1.8million during January from
Wu Lei: 'Chinese Maradona' attracts more than 40m viewers in

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Wu Lei's Espanyol debut attracts 40 million viewers in China - despite striker playing just 12 minutes Spanish La Liga Chinese Super League. More on this story. Wu Lei - China's
Wu Lei's Espanyol debut attracts 40 million viewers in China

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Author Joshua Posted on February 8, 2019 Categories Chinese Super League, Football, La Liga Leave a comment on Wu Lei: 'Chinese Maradona' attracts more than 40m viewers in China for 12-minute
Espanyol's Wu Lei in line for La Liga start against Valencia

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Wu Lei: 'Chinese Maradona' attracts more than 40m viewers in China for 12-minute Espanyol La Liga debut Written by: fpnews Posted on: February 9, 2019 Espanyol's trip to Villarreal in La Liga attracted more than 40million viewers in China hoping to catch a glimpse of their new January signing.
'Chinese Maradona' attracts more than 40m viewers in China

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Espanyol's Wu Lei is in line to make his first start for the Spanish side against Valencia this weekend. The Chinese forward could replace left winger Pablo Piatti in the starting line-up after