Nico Yennaris is now Li Ke

has moved to China and this transfer had some changes for him.

Since China does not accept dual nationality, he has given up his British passport and has a new Chinese name. He is now called Li Ke.

“To be honest, I’m not sure what the name means. I was given it when I moved here," he said.

“I didn’t actually know my name had officially changed until I arrived. It was a bit of a surprise but I’m happy and proud to have a Chinese name.

“Everyone says it’s a decent name. Li is quite a common name in China. I’m used to people calling me it now.

“Some people still call me Nico. Some call me Li Ke but it’s more fans who will call me by my Chinese name.”

The former

and

player is the first naturalized player to represent China and has now five caps for his new nation.

His first debut was in the game against the Philippines last year which they won 2-0.

“I was probably the most relaxed and most calm about it out of everyone. I think people around me were nervous because it hadn’t been done before,” he added.

“But my thinking was football-based: I was progressing and if that’s what it takes to play international football, let’s go with it.

“I just made my decision there and then. I didn’t really dwell on it. I wanted to play for China.”

Ke now enjoys his celebrity status in China and now has a fan club with thousands of people as its members.