Xiaotuji is China's most expensive eSports player ever

As is tradition following The International, China’s Dota 2 teams have been enjoying a massive shake-up in the wake of the world’s biggest Dota tournament. We’ve already given you a full rundown of the confirmed transfers, but here’s one tidbit you might have missed: at RMB 800,000 (about $130,000), former LGD player Xiaotuji’s transfer to Newbee makes him the most expensive Chinese eSports player ever.

According to Sina Games, the transfer fee is the largest on record in Chinese eSports. It’s no surprise that this record would be broken following a banner year for Chinese Dota 2 that saw the nation dominate TI4, but it’s still a sign of the Chinese eSport’s scene’s increasing maturity and profitability.

Esports may not yet have reached the insane-money levels of real sports—for comparison, footballer Gareth Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid last year valued him at more than $130 million. But Xiaotuji’s $130,000 transfer is still a significant milestone.

Don’t expect the record to last long, though. China’s professional League of Legends scene will likely experience a similar player shakeup following the Season 4 World Championships this fall, and if that doesn’t break the record, it’s easy to imagine the Dota 2 scene smashing it again around next year’s The International.

(via Sina Games)