Elkeson says ‘I still have to help Chinese football’ after signing for Brazilian side Gremio

Naturalised star forward hopes to keep representing China’s national team after 10-season stint in Chinese Super League

Former Guangzhou star sets sights on 2023 Asian Cup glory, saying ‘the Chinese fans like me very much … so I want to help the team win the championship’

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Striker Elkeson is officially presented by Gremio after his departure from Guangzhou. Photo: Lucas Uebel/Gremio FBPA

Published: 5:45pm, 14 Apr 2022

Naturalised national team star Elkeson has promised to keep playing for China – and help them in their bid for Asian Cup glory – despite returning to play in his former homeland of Brazil.

The 32-year-old forward, known as Ai Kesen in China, terminated his contract with Guangzhou in February after 10 seasons in the Chinese Super League, signing for Gremio on a free transfer on Wednesday.

Elkeson will be registered as a Chinese player at his new club, and expressed his desire to represent the national team at the 2023 Asian Cup on home soil, and in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

“I plan to participate in the Asian Cup next year,” he said at a press conference announcing his signing at Gremio. “I still have to help Chinese football. The Chinese fans like me very much, so I want to play an Asian Cup at a high level and help the national team win the championship.”

Elkeson – or Ai Kesen – celebrates a goal for Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao against Dalian Pro in 2020. Photo: Xinhua/Pan Yulong

Elkeson was dropped along with China’s other naturalised Brazilian players for last month’s final two World Cup qualifiers, with the team already out of contention for reaching Qatar 2022.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get in to the World Cup, but we still have a chance in the next cycle,” Elkeson added at Wednesday’s unveiling.