Li loving life as China's original import

Now happily settled in Beijing, London-born midfielder says he's 'very proud' to be national team's first naturalized player

Li Ke says he "has loved every minute" of becoming Team China's first naturalized player, although admits it was initially "a little bit of a challenge" to adapt to his new surroundings.

The Arsenal academy graduate, known as Nico Yennaris in his native England, made history in June last year when he pulled on the national team's red jersey to become its first foreign-born player.

Over a year since arriving in China, the Beijing Guo'an midfielder, whose mother is Chinese, has now adapted to his new life, but feels he has more to give on the pitch as China chases qualification for the 2022 World Cup finals.

"It's the first time it's ever happened and I was a little bit nervous at first," Li told the Asian Football Confederation's website, the-AFC.com.

"But, you know, it's a great honor for me to be called up to the team, and to be the first player to represent the country to be foreign-born.

"It was a little bit of a challenge, but again it was a great experience for me and I am very proud and honored.

"The language is obviously difficult and a big challenge for me. But the players have been very good to me. They've also helped me a lot, translating a lot for me. The club and everybody around me have been great."