Paulinho's first COVID-19 test result negative since return to China

GUANGZHOU - Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Paulinho's first COVID-19 test result was negative following his return to China, according to a source close to the Chinese Super League side.

Paulinho flew back to China on a chartered plane on Tuesday. According to medical regulations, he is required to go through two COVID-19 tests during a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

He had the first test on Tuesday and the result proved negative. According to Evergrande's regulations, after the 14-day mandatory quarantine, Paulinho will still need to self isolate at home for another seven days.

In the 2019 season, Paulinho scored 19 goals and notched six assists.

Brazilian teammate Anderson Talisca failed to make the trip to China with Paulinho due to local travel restrictions back in Brazil. But according to the source, Talisca will try to make it back to China before July.

The Chinese Super League 2020 campaign, which was slated to start on February 22, has been delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and is rumored to be restarting in July.