Nico Yennaris

[AFC10]

Never really saw this coming but he's signed for Brentford until 2916! Shame because he had potential and has been at Arsenal for a long time but I guess he wants playing time now.

Good luck to him.

[AFC10]

"@BrentfordFC: Brentford have signed @Nico_Yennaris from @Arsenal for an undisclosed fee until 2016 - more on official site now http://t.co/t2PYEezsW9"

[Arsenal~Fanatic]

I always thought he possessed the potential to make it here.

[Zedie]

Never really saw this coming but he's signed for Brentford until 2916! Shame because he had potential and has been at Arsenal for a long time but I guess he wants playing time now.

Good luck to him.

Bit optimistic innit. Still, if he looks after himself....

[Zenith]

A bit sad to see him go but it's for the best really.

Good luck to the lad, proper gooner.

[ThereIsBearCüm]

Realistically, he wasn't going to make it here, probably best for him that he moves on

[Arsenal Tone]

I still think he's a better RB than Jenkinson

[Arsenal~Fanatic]

I still think he's a better RB than Jenkinson

No need to hide PG. He easily has the better footballing brain than Jenks.

[AFC10]

I still think he's a better RB than Jenkinson

No need to hide PG. He easily has the better footballing brain than Jenks.

I agree with this.

Plenty of time for Jenko to sort that out though.

[EvAMY-CRAIGLEEAFC]

Good luck to him. Not a bad move.

[Royal Gooner]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footb ... l#comments


Off to China

[Zenith]

England-born Arsenal product to become first ever naturalised China player



China have selected England-born Arsenal academy product Nico Yennaris as their first naturalised player.

England-born Arsenal academy product Nico Yennaris is set to become China's first ever naturalised international after being selected in their squad for upcoming friendly matches.

The 26-year-old Beijing Guoan midfielder, who is known as Li Ke in China, has been named in coach Marcello Lippi's first squad since the Italian returned to the helm after departing in January.

He could make his debut against Philippines on June 7 or when Tajikistan visit four days later.

It has been reported that a condition of Lippi's comeback was the opportunity to start naturalising foreign players in an attempt to boost China's capabilities on the international stage.

Yennaris is the first to break that barrier after the former Brentford man is said to have renounced his UK passport and become a Chinese citizen upon signing for Beijing Guoan in January.

Media reports have suggested Yennaris could soon be joined by Brazilians Elkeson, Alex Teixeira and Ricardo Goulart, once they have all qualified for dual citizenship through living in the country for five years.

Elkeson has spent six years in China, representing Guangzhou Evergrande before joining current club Shanghai SIPG in 2016, while Teixeira famously rejected the advances of clubs such as Liverpool to sign for Jiangsu Suning the same year.

Goulart returned to Evergrande – whom he previously represented for four years – after a loan spell at Palmeiras earlier this month.

Speculation in the days since has suggested Goulart's return and potential contract extension is linked to China's apparent desire to naturalise him.

https://www.besoccer.com/new/england-bo ... yer-644236

[Royal Gooner]

I'm not sure he can do that. I think FIFA have rules saying you have to have been in that country for 5 years or have some connection before you can play for another nation under naturalisation rules. The same issue came up with Zelalem when he got his US citizenship and they only waived the 5 year period because he went to school in the US.

[Phil71]

FIFA have to keep a close eye on this, or we'll have the likes of Qatar 'buying' international players willy nilly.

[Sims]

His grandmother is Chinese