The Chinese soccer federation (CFA) aims to send up to 500 teenagers to train at top European clubs over the next five years. New Chines soccer chief Wei Di hopes the scheme will develop the country’s most talented players ages 15 to 17. They are expected to spend two or three years at various European clubs in small groups of five or six.

"We are working on the details of the project," CFA spokesman Dong Hua said. "There will be 80-100 players dispatched to Europe each and every year from this year on."

The Chinese media reported that Spain’s La Liga would be the major destination becasuse Wei believes there is a similarity in body size and strength between Chinese and Spanish players.

“We have been in good cooperation with many European FAs and clubs,” said Dong. “We want our young players with the best potential to train in the Spanish, English, German, Italian and Dutch leagues, which have the highest standards of youth development.