From onefootball.com :

Liaoning Fushun striker Zhang Yuning has signed a five-month loan deal with English Premiership side Leicester City, becoming the first Chinese national player to reap the rewards of the nation's qualification for next year's World Cup Finals.

The player, who started his career as top scorer in the C-League Division B in 1998, had been courted by Leicester and Everton but the Midlands club eventually won the race for the player's signature on Tuesday.

Former Chinese national team and current Sichuan coach Bobby Houghton has close ties with Leicester and the Englishman revealed that the English side were eager to tie down the transfer as soon as possible.

Negotiations were swift as the £150,000 loan deal was closed much to the delight of the player and officials from both clubs.

One matter that could hold up Zhang's departure for England is a court case arising from a car accident earlier in the year that has raised complications in his overseas travel. However, Liaoning officials have said that the transfer is a done deal, and the club are already looking for possible replacements.

"It is true that Zhang will be going to England to play for Leicester," said a Liaoning official,

"We've decided not to include him in the Liaoning squad that will travel to the Chinese Games, and we are currently looking at the possibilities for replacement."

Zhang does not know when he will be leaving for Europe.

"I am aware of the various arrangements available to the club, but no one has actually informed me of a definite move," said Zhang.

"I am not certain at all if I would be travelling to England before or after the Games.

"I didn't had a lot to say in the transfer. The club asked me what I felt about the deal, and I said I would like to expand my horizons by playing in the English league.

"Every part of the deal is being handled by the club, and I do not have any idea when I am supposed to be leaving."

Leicester are struggling at the bottom of the Premier League with striker Ade Akinbiyi currently in a long barren spell. That could result in Zhang being drafted in earlier than expected to solve Leicester's scoring problems and attempt to lift them to safety. Whatever happens though, Zhang is confident of performing well in Europe.

"I have a fair idea on how the Europeans play their defensive game," said Zhang.

"They are very well built and they are very strong physically. It's a power game that I think I can handle to a certain respect.

"However, their speed on the turn is not as fast and I think my agility will be an advantage after I get used to the team play. When I do go, I will definitely return a better player.", commented the 6 foot 2 inch striker.

The Leicester Mercury say that the move has not, however, come to fruition yet.

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