The 33-year-old winger, who spent five seasons with RSC Anderlecht in the Belgian top-flight, says he passed up the opportunity to join up with their elite division rivals during the last two windows as he wanted to continue plying his trade in the far east Asian country
Ghana international winger Frank Acheampong has revealed that he declined the advances of Belgian Pro League side KV Mechelen to stay put with his then Chinese Super League employers Shenzhen FC during the 2024/25 season.
The reigning Chinese top division title winner with Dalian Yingbo has stated that the opportunity to return to Belgian football competitions presented itself after holding talks with his former RSC Anderlecht manager Besnik Hasi during his time in the dugout at the Achter de Kazerne.
Speaking in an interview right after clinching the Chinese Super League title in the just-ended campaign, the former Tianjin Jinmen Tigers wing-forward is already looking forward to spending one more season in the Chinese top-flight.
''Two years ago, the opportunity to return to Belgium did present itself,'' the diminutive speedster told Belgian tabloid newspaper La Dernière Heure. ''I was contacted by Besnik Hasi through someone. But he wasn't working for Anderlecht (Hasi was then at Mechelen - editor's note). I could have returned to Belgium, but I preferred to stay here."
He added: ''Moving everything would have been a bit stressful for me so I preferred to stay. I don't know what the future holds but I hope to stay for another season.''
Since linking up with Tianjin Jinmen Tigers from Anderlecht in 2018, Acheampong would go on to represent Henan FC, Shenzhen FC and Dalian Yingbo in the Chinese Super League.
He racked up 12 goals and assisted 6 in 33 appearances across the Super League and Chinese FA Cup in the just-concluded 2026/27 campaign.
On the international scene, the Accra-born winger has won 23 caps for the Ghana national team at the senior level in his international football career so far.
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