Football
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Jackson Irvine rejected Chinese millions to remain with Burton Albion

Australia international Jackson Irvine feels vindicated for turning down a Chinese offer that would have increased his wage 20-fold.

A Chinese Super League club made three separate offers to him in last January's transfer window.

But Irvine refused the offers, believed to be AU$8.5 million, to remain with Burton Albion in the English Championship on a salary around AU$430,000.

"It's a complicated situation when you get that phone call," Irvine told reporters on Tuesday.

"I rejected three offers from this club in the same window ... I didn't view it as the right career move for me at this time.

"I have never been money motivated. And I am fortunate enough to come from a background where that has never been of vital importance to me."

Irvine's on-field career flourished after his decision, being Burton's player of the season to help the club stay in the championship, and also starting in Australia's past two World Cup qualifiers and scoring his first international goal.


"What happened after that, coming into the Socceroos camp in March, starting both games, getting my first goal for Australia, being involved in keeping Burton up ... it was all very much worth it for the experiences I had," he said.

But now, other clubs are again circling the Melbourne-born attacking midfielder.

"As far as it stands, I have two years left on my contract at Burton," he said.

"Until any real offers or anything substantial comes to pass, you deal with the situation as it arises. No offer has been made yet.

"I don't really like to know about that stuff, it all goes through my representatives.

"If they feel it's a move that would be best for my career or worth pursuing, they will come to me."

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