China's Chang Bao earns trial with Brazil's Botafogo

Chinese midfielder Chang Bao has been offered a trial with two-time Brazilian Serie A champions Botafogo with a view to signing a permanent deal.

The 26-year-old began training with the club last month after impressing scouts while playing for Paulista in the second division of the Sao Paulo state league.

Botafogo president Carlos Eduardo Pereira said he hoped the move would benefit Botafogo both on and off the pitch.

"It's a question of improving commercial ties with China in relation to the Olympics and football," Pereira said.

Botafogo are also in talks with Chinese officials about leasing the club's General Severiano training base to the country's athletes at next year's Olympics.

Russia and Japan are also in the running to secure an agreement for the facilities.

Chang Bao, who has lived in Brazil since 2005 and speaks fluent Portuguese, is not the first Chinese player on Botafogo's books.

Midfielder Tang Shi, who earlier this year earned a trial with Real Madrid, has also represented the Rio de Janeiro outfit at youth level.

Last month the club announced it would not renew its contract with the 20-year-old next season.

Botafogo hopes to strike a similar deal with Chang Bao to the one secured by Corinthians with Chinese midfielder Zi Zao.

Zi Zao was released by Corinthians last season, only a year after signing with the Sao Paulo-based team.

But club officials deemed the signing a success due to Zi Zao's marketability, especially in Asia. Endi