Japanese football player obtains Chinese nationality

Yuto Nakamura, a former Japanese football player, announced Tuesday on his social media that he has obtained Chinese citizenship and will continue to play for the Hong Kong team.

Yuto Nakamura is introduced by Kitchee Football Club during a press conference in Hong Kong on July 12, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

The 31-year-old Nakamura was born in Japan's Chiba Prefecture and started playing football at the age of five. He was signed to Hong Kong Football Club in 2009 and transferred to Kitchee Football Club this year.

"Finally I become a Hong Konger!" He wrote on his social media, "I am so proud that I can represent Hong Kong on the field, and I will devote all my energy to improve men's soccer in Hong Kong."

He received congratulations from people in China and Japan.

A 60-year-old woman said earlier during an interview in Japan, "It's so great to see Nakamura selects China as his favorite country and become its citizen and play for it, congratulation for obtaining your Chinese citizenship!"

He will debut for Hong Kong in a game against Indonesia this week.