Spanish footballer with Chinese ancestry dreams to fight for China

Jesus Carrasco Zhou, a 15-year-old Spanish footballer, has announced plans to apply for Chinese citizenship with a goal of making it to the Chinese Super League, reports chinanews.com.

Undated photo shows Jesus Carrasco Zhou at the Guangzhou Yuexiu Mountain Stadium, home to CSL club Guangzhou R&F. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Zhou was born to a Spanish father and a Chinese mother. Zhou's grandfather, Angel Carrasco Diaz, notes his grandson lived in China with his mother until the age of 5. "All of our family members fully understand and support his idea of becoming a Chinese citizen and developing his football career in China," Zhou's grandfather said.

Undated photo shows Jesus Carrasco Zhou at the Guangzhou Yuexiu Mountain Stadium, home to CSL club Guangzhou R&F. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Zhou started playing football at his age of 5, training at the Arsenal Soccer School in Spain from a young age.

He has been training with Guangzhou R&F since November, but is now back in Spain to continue training with the Real Betis Football Club in Spain.

By taking on Chinese citizenship, the 15-year old will be able to get around the ever-tightening rules which limit the number of foreign players on CSL teams.