Brazil striker Hulk has made a shock move to Zenit St. Petersburg in a five-year deal, the Russian Premier League champions have announced.
The value of the transfer of the 26-year-old playmaker from Porto was not disclosed. Various reports put the fee at between €40 million and €60 million.
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur had been heavily linked with Hulk, who won an Olympic silver medal with his national team in London after a surprise defeat to Mexico.
"The Brazil striker will continue his career in St. Petersburg," read a Zenit website statement. "Agreement was reached late on September 3. ... The player will play under the No. 29."
"Zenit welcomes Hulk and wishes him success and victories in at the St. Petersburg team."
Hulk made 99 appearances for Porto, scoring 55 goals to help the team to three league titles and the Europa League. He has five goals in 14 international games.
Zenit also announced the signing of Belgium international midfielder Axel Witsel from Porto's rivals Benfica.
Witsel, 23, has played 30 times for his country.
Zenit are top of the Russian Premier League with seven matches played.
