Chinese teenager Dong Fangzhuo said on Tuesday he is able to build a successful career with English premier side Manchester United, dubbed the world's biggest and richest club.
"I have to admit there must be some kind of relevance between United wanting me and the club's aspiration in breaking into the Chinese market," said the 18-year-old striker.
"I believe, however, my ability has also played a big part in the move and I have that confidence."
Dong joined the English champions in a deal worth 3.5 million pounds (about US$6.3 million) after Dalian Shide inked the contract last Saturday. He had impressed United boss Sir Alex Ferguson during a trial at Old Trafford earlier this season.
According to the BBC website, United will pay an initial fee of approximately 500,000 pounds and the price could rise up to 3.5 million depending on appearances. Should the final fee amount to that number, Dong would become the most expensive Chinese player based abroad.
The previous record holder is Dong's former teammate, Dalian star Sun Jihai, who signed for Manchester City on a two-million pounds agreement about two seasons ago.
Although the teenager will be faced with mounting pressure, Dalian manager Lin Lefeng is confident Dong will establish himself in England.
"Dalian is very concerned with how the player might develop through time," said Lin. "The club has talked about his strengths, taken a close look at what he can do at the moment and have decided that he would develop better in Europe."
Lin also noted that the great potential of the Chinese market helped Chinese players find roads to European soccer world.
"There has never been a better time to move to Europe. English, French, Italian and Spanish clubs have all made inquiries asking for players and I think Chinese players should sue these opportunities to carve out a career away from China," he said.
"The club CEO Xu Ming has taken a broad look at how Europe is working towards at the moment and he, alongside the club, believes this is the perfect time for players to take their game towards the international elite."
China midfielder Li Tie at Everton and defender Sun at Manchester City are already established in the Premiership while Beijing playmaker Yang Pu could be on his way to Southampton. Striker Qu Bo is currently on trial at Blackburn.
Lin said earlier that other European clubs were also eyeing more potential recruits from the developing football nation.
Three or four more Dalian Shide players were under review for possible trial agreements to English and French clubs.
One of them could be Chinese international youth skipper Feng Xiaoting, who in December had a week-long try-out with French first division club Nantes.
The potential value of the Chinese market to English football was underlined when Li and Sun faced each other in matches on January 1 and on December 8 last year.
The game was broadcast live in China and drew an estimated audience of more than 100 million -- the largest ever for a Premiership game.
(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2004)
