Chinese clubs hope to tempt Zidane to extend career

BEIJING, May 28: Three-times world player of the year Zinedine Zidane has been offered the chance to extend his career in China, according to a report on the China Daily website today.

The 33-year-old France and Real Madrid midfielder announced last month he would be hanging up his boots for good after the World Cup finals, which start in Germany on June 9.

Chinese Super League clubs Changchun Yatai and Beijing Guo'an, however, are hoping to tempt the Frenchman to postpone his retirement and say they have been in touch with him through agents.

''If the dribbling master could join us, it would be perfect,'' Liu Yuming, director of Changchun told the paper.

The Beijing club, who have a cooperation agreement with Spanish giants Real, were encouraged that Zidane did not immediately reject their approach, according to an agent who spoke to China Daily on condition of anonymity.

REUTERS