進入英語學習論壇下載音頻

China captain Zheng Zhi has seen his patience and determination finally pay off as Scottish Premier League giants Celtic reached a deal for the versatile midfielder on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old became a free agent after his contract at English club Charlton expired in the summer but he and his agent were determined to stay in Europe and find a high-level club in a top-flight league.

"Celtic are a great club and have a great coach," said Zheng. "I'm excited to go there and am looking forward to playing for the team."

Zheng's name had been linked to a number of English Premier League clubs over the past three months. However, there was a strong likelihood he would have returned home to play in the domestic league before the Celtic offer arrived.

The Addicks, who were relegated to League One last season, were eager to keep him but Zheng, the first Chinese player to represent Charlton and affectionately known in England as ZiZi, chose to leave.

Zheng should complete the formalities of a two-year deal with Celtic this week and will become manager Tony Mowbray's final signing of the year.

Mowbray, who tried to sign Zheng while he was at West Brom last summer, said: "Zheng Zhi is a player I have tracked for some time.

"He is a highly-regarded player and was a thorn in our side when he played against us at West Bromwich Albion.

"I am delighted that he may join us. He will significantly add to the squad with his quality and the fact that he can play in a number of positions.

Zheng joined then Premier League club Charlton in December 2006 from Shenzhen.

Questions:

1. Which Scottish football team will the Chinese captain Zheng Zhi play for?

2. How old is Zheng?

3. Originally which Chinese team was Zheng playing for?

Answers:

1. Celtic.

2. 29.

3. Shenzhen.

（英語點津 Helen 編輯）

Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op'Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily's Website opinion section.

He received his B.A. and Post Grad Dip from Curtin University in 1997 and his Masters in Community Development and Management from Charles Darwin University in 2003. He has taught in Japan, England, Australia and most recently China. His articles have featured in the Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, The Asia News Network and in-flight magazines.