With Charlton Athletic suffering relegation, Chinese midfielder Zheng Zhi is about to make the most important decision of his career.

Zheng signed a loan deal with an option of a permanent move in January, but he has yet to commit to the London club.

Relegation had been on the cards for Charlton all season after two disastrous managerial appointments following the departure of Alan Curbishley, the man who had built the club up from financial ruin and kept them in the Premier League for seven years.

And despite a clear improvement since the arrival of Alan Pardew and new signings like Zheng, the inevitable drop was confirmed after a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.

"It was the most unforgettable moment in my life. If I still have a chance to compete in the Premier League, the experiences here will help me a lot," an emotional Zheng told Titan Sports after the match.

Zheng started the match but was kept quiet by a Tottenham side hungry for a European place.

A half-hearted appeal for a penalty when Michael Dawson tacked Zheng was the closest they came to threatening Robinson's goal.

When Zheng was replaced with Bryan Hughes in the 84th-minute he received a standing ovation from a Charlton faithful clearly appreciative of his efforts over the season.

"I've felt the real Premier League in every match since I came here. I will never forget the crazy fans and the incredible atmosphere here.

"I was so moved that there were still so many fans standing outside the gate of the stadium, asking for autographs and showing their support. I am sure most of them will continue to stand by the team next season."

The question for the fans, however, is whether Zheng will be standing with them.

"I don't know what the future is," he said. "The feeling is complicated. All I can do now is wait for the end of the season and make a decision then."

Zheng has made 11 appearances for Charlton, seven of them starting, and scored one goal. But it is his creative passing and attacking threat that has won him praise from media and fans, who in March voted him Charlton's player of the month.

Manager Pardew certainly hopes he will stay: "He's a good player and creates lots of chances," he was quoted as saying by Titan Sports.

Charlton's last game of the season is at giants Liverpool on Sunday, and after that Zheng will return to his Chinese club Shandong Luneng for the summer.

"Personally, I hope to continue my career in the Premier League. But it's hard to predict. My agent will help deal with the issue with the two clubs.

"I've gained a lot from competing in one of the world's best leagues during the past few months. There are players from all over the world and I had the chance to challenge players with different styles. It's a good experience for me."

According to the terms of the loan deal, Zheng will return to Shandong and play the A3 Championship, which sees the top clubs from China, South Korea and Japan face off.

Manager Han Gongzheng says it is still too early to discuss Zheng's future.

"We need some time to reopen negotiations. Right now, we will ask Zheng to come back after the season ends and help the club during the A3 league," Han said.

Last month Zheng admitted he would leave the club if they dropped out of the Premier League.

"If Charlton are relegated, I won't stay," he was quoted as saying by Goalchina.

Speculation is beginning to mount over Zheng's future plans. Titan Sports pinpointed surprise-package Reading as a likely destination due to the hole that will be created by the departure of star midfielder Steve Sidwell.

It could be double happiness for the entertaining Berkshire side, as Zheng's China teammate Sun Jihai is being linked with a move to the club, which is coached by his former manager at Crystal Palace Steve Coppell.

Zheng's summer will be busier than most as he will also lead the national team to the Asian Cup finals in Southeast Asia in July.

(China Daily May 10, 2007)