Chinese multinational lighting company Ledman had entered into a sponsorship agreement with Segunda Liga, Portugal's second tier association football system, which reportedly includes allowing football players from China to be signed by the top 10 clubs of the said league.

ESPN reported that the "Segunda Liga is set to be rebranded as the Ledman Proliga" starting next season. The number of teams are also reportedly going to be reduced from 24 and 22 to only 20 and 18 over the next two seasons.

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An important part of the deal is that the LED lamps firm will bring in ten mainland China footballers and three assistant coaches to join any of the top 10 clubs of the Segunda Liga.

This condition is said to be aimed to utilize the "Portuguese system for helping to train Chinese talent, both on and off the pitch" and enhancing the overall skill levels of the chosen Chinese players.

Initially, it was included in the terms that the selected Chinese footballers must be included in the starting lineups of the ten Portuguese clubs to ensure that they are given the playing time they needed for the program to thrive.

However, the stipulation was currently dropped by Ledman after massive opposition from fans as it also received criticism from the Portuguese players' union.

The Guardian indicated that the union "argued that players would not be selected on merit, and it was considered that such a demand would be illegal anyway".

It was noted that Segunda Liga clubs are amenable to accepting footballers from the Far East nation as they are also set to receive cash payments for doing so, only that each team should be given the power to decide whether they will or they will not field in the Chinese players during actual games.

Ledman agreed and opted to shelve the clause, but three assistant coaches are still on their way to Portugal "to join the league to help increase their own experience".

TagsChina Football, China Football News, Ledman, Segunda Liga, Portugal