SHENYANG, Northeast China, June 10 -- Zhang Jiaqi left China two years ago by himself, joining French club Le Mans' reserve team with only a slim chance to win the club's heart.

Two years on, Zhang came back home as a player of the first-team member of the French second division club. Present at the contract-signing ceremony last May was Wei Di, vice president of the Chinese Football Association.

"I worked very hard in the past two and a half years. I will never forget the difficult days. But looking back, all the hard work has paid off," the 20-year-old midfielder said.

Zhang, who stands 1.92 meters, said, "My goal now is to gain my place in the first team and then to get a chance to join the Chinese national team as early as possible. To play for my country is always my dream."

But it seems that playing for China is not realistic. He has been overlooked by the Chinese under-23 national team, who will play the qualifying campaign for next year's London Olympic Games.

"Maybe the Olympic team coaches don't know me well because I have not been at home in the past two years. But once I am called up, I will come back to play from Le Mans immediately," Zhang said.

It might have been a different story two years ago if he had stayed at home two years ago. He was invited to join Chinese Super League champions Beijing Guo'an and Shandong Luneng but he thought training in Europe was the best way to lay a more solid foundation for his playing career.

"I never wanted to sign a Chinese club," he said. "I just want to win a place in a top European club and then play for the Chinese national team.

"I have had a very different understanding on football after these two years. I think I can play as well as any French players of my age," he said.

Zhang will fly back to France on June 23 and join Le Mans for the club's pre-season training camp.

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