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03/28/2024 12:26:19 pm

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China Football News: Sao Paulo Acquires Teenager Zhang Yuanshu on one Season Loan

Sao Paulo president Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva

(Photo : Getty Images) Sao Paulo FC signed Chinese teenager Zhang Yuanshu in a one-season loan deal.

Brazilian Serie A club Sao Paulo FC has recently completed the signing of Chinese teenager Zhang Yuanshu on a one-season loan deal from Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng Taishan FC.

Zhang, 19, has caught the attention of Sao Paulo representatives in his recent stint with Campeonato Paulista Serie B squad Desportivo Brasil "in the second division of the Sao Paulo state league and the Sao Paulo Cup", as per Xinhuanet.

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Despite his young age, Zhang has been a productive goalscorer, netting 11 goals in a total of 40 games for Desportivo last season. He joined the club as part of Shandong's exchange program with the Brazilian side along with fellow young teammates Yu Ming Zeng and Duan Liuyu.

Dubbed by his teammates as "Oscar", coming from the former Chelsea standout and now Shanghai SIPG star to whom the teenager fashions his game after, Zhang will stay with Sao Paulo up to season's end as stated in the contract.

Zhang is initially proposed to suit up for Sao Paulo's under-20 squad but team officials are also considering the possibility of promoting him to their senior team depending on is performance, the Avenue Mail reported.

Sao Paulo's first-division team is currently coached by its former goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni, who was appointed last December following his retirement. The team finished 10th in the Brazil top-flight last season under four head coaches.

Argentine mentor Edgardo Bauza handled the squad from the beginning of last season until he was called to coach the Argentina national team in August of last year. Brazilian Andre Jardine acted as caretaker until compatriot Ricardo Gomes took over in November.

The former Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco boss was then sacked after a few games and was replaced by another caretaker, former club midfielder Pintado, before Ceni assumed the position in December.

Zhang's skills were recently showcased in the Weifang Cup, an under-20 football tournament featuring invited national and club teams from all over the world, playing for Desportivo Brasil. The annual tournament is conducted by the CSL's Shandong Luneng and the Chinese Football Association.

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