Elkeson confirmed in China squad for World Cup qualifier against Maldives – joins Wu Lei and Nico Yennaris in Marcello Lippi’s 35
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Newly naturalised Chinese footballer Elkeson has been named in Marcello Lippi’s 35-man squad for the upcoming Fifa World Cup qualifier against the Maldives.
The Brazil-born Guangzhou Evergrande striker is in line to become the first player without Chinese heritage to represent the nation at football in the September 10 qualifier.
His new international teammate, Nico Yennaris, became China’s first naturalised footballer in June, but the former Arsenal youth teamer is eligible to naturalise as a Chinese citizen because of his Chinese mother.
China does not recognise dual nationality, so any player wishing to be eligible to represent the country under Fifa rules, either through residence or ancestry, also has to give up their previous passport.
Elkeson, it has also been confirmed, will be known by the Chinese name Aikesen. He joins Yennaris and former Shanghai SIPG teammate Wu Lei, who now plays for Espanyol in Spain, in adding an international flavour to the China squad.