Tianjin Quanjian threatens court proceedings with Anthony Modest and Cologne after the German club announced the return of the attacker.

"Modest joined Tianjin Quanjian in 2017 and signed a valid contract until the end of 2020. From August 2018, Modest left the team, while remaining a registered player, and filed a request with FIFA for early termination of the contract, ”reads Tianjin Quanjian’s statement.

"Tianjin Quanjian actively responded to the lawsuit, relying on facts, to reasonably reject the player’s unreasonable demands".

"Before FIFA makes a decision, the club regrets that Cologne made a wrong decision and signed Modest. We remind Cologne that they may be held responsible for breaching a contract with a player ".

"Tianjin Quanjian firmly believes that FIFA will make a fair decision on this case, and the club will take all measures to protect our legitimate rights and interests.

In addition, the club took further action to initiate legal proceedings against Modest and Cologne in the Court of Arbitration for Sport ".

Modest left the "goats" in July 2017 for an amount of about 35 million euros, having signed a contract with Tianjin Quanjian until 2020.

Nevertheless, in August of this year, Modest turned to FIFA with a request to help him terminate the contract with the club ahead of schedule.. The 30-year-old Frenchman has signed a contract with Cologne without waiting for the FIFA verdict in this case..