The 30-year-old has played in the Chinese Super League since 2013, so he is eligible to play for China after meeting FIFA's five-year residency requirement. He was eager to help his adopted country to score goals and wining matches.

"I knew the Chinese fans put how much hope on me, and I will repay them with my goals," Elkeson said.

"My target is to score more goals for China and help the team to win. We will play our first match in the qualifiers next week, hopefully we can have a good start," he added.

Learning Chinese has never become a serious business for Elkeson who stayed in China for more than seven years.

"I am learning Chinese everyday. Give me a bit more time, I could use Chinese to answer your questions soon," Elkeson said.

"Jia you, zhongguo!(Come on, China!)" he said in Chinese, before waving his hands to the reporters and turned around to the grass.