Hao the first Chinese at Schalke 04

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-03 09:56

Chinese international midfielder Hao Junmin has joined German top-flight league club Schalke 04.

The move makes him the first Chinese player to don the royal blue shirt in the club's 105-year history.

The 22-year-old, who played for Tianjin Teda, a Chinese Super League team, last season, has signed a contract that will keep him at Gelsenkirchen until June 30, 2011.

Hao has represented China 26 times and scored five goals, including the opener in a 1-1 friendly draw with Germany in May of last year.

The midfielder played for Hubei Wuhan Zhiye FC from 2001 to 2002 before moving to Tianjin Teda, for whom he made 132 league appearances (16 goals).

He was voted young player of the year in China in 2005 and 2007 and was a member of the Chinese squad at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where he made two appearances.

"The Chinese soccer league needs stars to boost the box office but the transfer of Chinese players to prestigious clubs abroad can only help Chinese soccer have a better future," Li Guangyi, general manager of the Tianjin club, said.

Hao is the third Chinese player to join a Bundesliga side, following in the footsteps of former Frankfurt striker Yang Chen and Cottbus striker Shao Jiayi. He is the only player among the three to join the Bundesliga without going through any trials.

China Daily