Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport

This 39-year-old Chinese footballer has signed for a second-flight team in Spain and will play for free as his transfer is part of a bizarre sponsorship deal for the club.

Midfielder Leilei Gao has signed for SD Ponferrada, a Spanish team who were recently promoted to the Spanish second flight representing a small region called El Bierzo in the North West of Spain, as part of a deal never-seen-before in the Spanish League.

Local media report that Gao signed with the team to expand their popularity in China.

The President of Ponferrada, Jose Fernandez, told local radio station COPE: “It is a big opportunity to open us up to the Chinese market where there is a passion for football”.

He went on to say the Spanish region was financially struggling due to “a mining crisis” in the area and claims “it is a good way to get El Bierzo known” as they have to find an “atypical financial income”.

When asked about the details of the signing the president said the player has no “sporting value, he will just be one more player and if the coach wants to put him on, he has him at his disposal”.

When asked if the Ponferrada games would be televised in China he said: “I think so, that is what the sponsors said. Financially this is very good for us”.

The 39-year-old has played in several teams and international leagues. He has played in China, New Zealand, United States, Finland and now Spain.

He retired in 2011 but decided to lace up his boots again when he was signed by the Spanish team Cornella in 2016.

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