China captain Zheng Zhi said he do his utmost to help Charlton
Athletic out of trouble.
"I already feel pressure," Zheng told the popular Chinese portal
Sina.com. "Charlton's ranking in the English Premier League doesn't
look good. I will get used to English matchplay as soon as possible
and help the club out of the relegation zone."
The club announced on Friday that Zheng had joined Charlton on
loan until the end of the season.
The deal, coming into effect when the transfer window opens next
Monday, also gives the relegation-threatened club an option on
making the 26-year-old midfielder's move permanent although
specific contract details remained undisclosed.
"The versatile China captain will join from Shandong Luneng
initially for the rest of the 2006-07 campaign," Charlton's Web
site said.
Zheng is Charlton's first signing since new manager Alan Pardew
took charge of the club last week.
Charlton, who have had three managers this season, lie second
from bottom of the table with 13 points from 20 matches.
Zheng had a two-day trial at The Valley in late November after
leading Shandong to the double titles of Chinese Super League (CSL)
and Chinese FA Cup last season and winning his second CSL Player of
the Year. He won the title for the first time in 2003. Zheng scored
21 goals for Chinese champion Shandong Luneng in 2006. He was named
China captain in October.
"I won't deny I'm the best footballer in China, but it's only in
China," Zheng said in local paper. "At the moment the most
important thing for me is to keep my feet in the Premier League
first."
He will become the third Chinese player to play in the Premier
League after Manchester City defender Sun Jihai and Sheffield
United midfielder Li Tie.
(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2006)