Fan all for Zhang's European union

HONG KONG - China World Cup defender Fan Zhiyi has called for more players from the country to follow in the footsteps of striker Zhang Yuning and test themselves in Europe's leading leagues.

Zhang, who spent the last two seasons playing in the Netherlands with Vitesse, signed a three-year contract with West Bromwich Albion in early July before being immediately sent on a two-year loan to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.

The 20-year-old is the only member of China's national squad currently playing in Europe and Fan, who played a key role in qualifying China for its only World Cup appearance in 2002, wants to see more players from the country follow suit.