Former Arsenal midfielder Nico Yennaris has changed his name to Li Ke as he bids to receive a call-up to the China national team.
The 25-year-old, who was born in east London, played in the Gunners youth teams in 2001 and even featured alongside Harry Kane before the Spurs ace was released by the club.
1
Yennaris is hoping to get a call-up to the Chinese national team
Yennaris made his way through the ranks and made his debut for the north London side against Manchester United in 2012.
However, he failed to make himself a mainstay in Arsene Wenger’s line-up and eventually left for Brentford.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
In January, Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan sealed a £5million deal for the playmaker and he has since learnt the language and even memorised the national anthem.
He is aiming to help China qualify for the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and is eligible for a call-up after being granted citizenship, despite featuring for English youth sides in the past.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Porto vs Liverpool (Wednesday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
- Napoli vs Arsenal (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest (Friday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Leeds vs Wigan (Friday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Sunderland vs Doncaster (Friday, 5:15pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Norwich vs Sheffield Wednesday (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Newcastle vs Southampton (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Accrington Stanley vs Luton (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Everton vs Manchester United (Sunday, 1:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Cardiff vs Liverpool (Sunday, 4pm) – talkSPORT
Yennaris became the first naturalised player to score in the Chinese top-flight after netting in his side’s 2-1 victory over HN Jianye last week.
Speaking to the state television in China, he said: “It’s the first in history so it’s something that I can be proud of.
“I hope to help Chinese football and hopefully one day I can play in the national team as well and we will try to get to a World Cup.”
Yennaris also told the Daily Mail he has kept in touch with Kane in recent years, saying: “When we see each other face to face and bump into each other we say ‘hello’ and we always speak.”
The separation of British singer Adele from her husband Simon Konecki has come as 'good news' to many of her fans worldwide. News of the Rumor Has It singer's separation from her hubby - with whom she has been together with for more than seven years - was made public on Friday.
Chelsea have offered Academy starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi a new five-year contract to convince him to remain at Stamford Bridge. Hudson-Odoi, who was a key performer in England Under-17s World Cup
Celtic win Scottish Premiership title: How many have Hoops
Danny Rose believes it would be a 'waste of time' to do any coaching badges when he hangs up his boots, because black players are 'not given a chance' to become managers. Rose said earlier
Danny Rose says doing coaching badges are 'waste of time
Vincent Kompany played his last game for Manchester City in Saturday's FA Cup final victory over Watford. The defender has decided to call time on his 11-year association with the Club having won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and two Community Shields. Kompany will
Transfer news: Real Madrid 'can afford to sign Eden Hazard AND Paul Pogba this summer', claims Spanish football expert Phil Kitromilides by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 19h
Real Madrid and Chelsea negotiating transfer of Eden Hazard
Champions League: Every Premier League side that would qualify for 2019/20 group stage if the season ended today, along with Europe's other top leagues.
European qualification for UEFA competitions explained
Home / Virgil van Dijk: PFA winner focused on Lionel Messi and Barcelona and rubbishes Ballon d'Or talk. PFA winner focused on Lionel Messi and Barcelona and
Lionel Messi vs Virgil van Dijk: Who will win the 2019 Ballon
AARON RAMSEY has been assured that his Arsenal career is NOT over despite the hamstring injury suffered in Napoli last night. Now the Welsh international midfielder, 28, is targeting the second leg of the Gunners' Europa League semi-final in Valencia on May 9 for his comeback.
Aaron Ramsey visits Arsenal training ground for final time
MAKING HIS MARC talkSPORT.com understand that the former Rangers assistant […] Rangers favourite Marc Bircham remains genuine contender to land job after impressive interview - Fussboll Home
Marc Bircham reportedly desperate for QPR job despite
Replacing the ageing ?Nemanja Matic is said to be one of United's top priorities, and that mission has led them to Dier. Well, actually, it led them to West Ham's Declan Rice, but United don't think they have a chance of signing the youngster, so they have turned to Dier. So, to sum up, they don't really want him, but they want him.
Game of Thrones' John Bradley goes behind the scenes at
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects Paul Pogba to stay at Manchester United despite reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid this summer. Pogba, the France midfielder, has been one of United's best players since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in the dugout, though his form has faltered over the past couple of weeks.
Sports News, 4 Aug 2015 | 15 Minute News - Know the News
No comments:
Post a Comment