'I Win Hearts of Hoddle and Spurs': Chinese Striker

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, August 11, 2002

'I Win Hearts of Hoddle and Spurs': Chinese Striker

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Chinese striker Qu Bo, who joined English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur on Friday, said on Saturday that he won the hearts of the north London club officials and manager Glenn Hoddle with his football skills and self-confidence.

The 21-year-old Chinese international joined the Spurs on a two million-pound deal from Qingdao Yizhong of China subject to a work permit, the club's official website said on Saturday.

But Qu's agent Gao Qi said that Qu's transfer was a one-year loan instead of a permanent move. "Qu will be loaned here for one year." he said. But Gao stopped short of commenting on the club's announcement.

Qu said: "During the two-week trial, I gradually convinced the club, manager Hoddle and all the fans with my own efforts. And eventually they offered me such a contract with such big money."

Qu said he was very confident and relaxed from the first day ofhis trial. "My aim was very clear," he told Xinhua. "Since I have come, I will not go back empty-handed. I should stay and get a contract. I am now successful. This will prove the biggest turning point of my professional career. "

Qu, who played all three World Cup matches for China in South Korea, said he felt no pressure in the trial even though the Spurs boast of such names as big as Teddy Sheringham, Christian Ziege and Jamie Redknapp.

"All of them are friendly to me, especially Sheringham and Redknapp. I think they appreciate my ability. The atmosphere in the training camp is wonderful which I think has boosted my confidence.

"The boss also talked to me for several times. He gave a lot of credit to my skills and he also said that everybody in the team like me. But the best thing he like is that I can play several positions."

But the Chinese youngster, whose favorite English player is Michael Owen, is soberly aware of the future difficulties and could stay most of the time at White Hart Lane on the bench than on the pitch.

"At home, I also spent a lot of time on the bench," he said. "So that will not concern me. I would rather sit on Spurs' bench other than that at home. I believe I can squeeze into the first team through my efforts."

Factbox

Factbox on Qu Bo, who joined the English premier league club Tottenham Hotspur with a deal of 2 million pounds (3 million U.S. dollars):

1981: Born on July 15 in Tianjin

1993: Joined Tianjin Locomotive Team at the age of 12

1997: Led Tianjin Locomotive Team to finish second in National Junior Soccer Championships

1998: Led Tianjin Locomotive Team to finish second in National Olympic Soccer League

1999: Finished second in China-Japan-South Korea Soccer Contest with the Chinese youth team

1999: Joined Qingdao Yizhong Club in November

2000: Joined Chinese national team

2001: Scored two goals to help China advance to the second round in World Youth Soccer Championships

2002: Played three games with the Chinese national team in World Cup finals.

2002: Signed by English premier league club Tottenham Hotspurs

Notable achievements:

International caps: 19

The best newcomer award in 2000 Chinese Soccer First Division League

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