Lowly A-League clubs Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix are reportedly planning to acquire Chinese players next season, even on loan, as the said Australian teams aim to promote themselves and the league in the massive Chinese market.

Goal indicated that the two Australian top flight squads believe that footballers from the Far East nation "can provide them with long-term growth" aside from making themselves known by the huge China audience.

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The report went on to say that the Jets and the Nix are "both looking to tap into China's football market by signing young Chinese players they can develop".

Newcastle was taken over by the Ledman Group, a Shenzhen-based optoelectronics and LED signage manufacturing conglomerate, in June of last year and club chairman Martin Lee is said to be keen on improving not only the Jets' roster but its brand all across mainland China to "promote business interest in his homeland".

Jets chief executive officer Lawrie McKinna verified the reports that the team is searching for a young Chinese footballer that is ready to play in the 2016-2017 season and that the acquisition is a part of the company's marketing strategy.

"To get support from the Chinese market, he needs a player from China on the roster," said McKinna, referring to Ledman Group chairman Lee. "We are looking to get a couple of players out here to train for a couple of weeks in August."

"We have to make sure they can adapt. Firstly, they need to be able to play and they also need to handle being here," the CEO added.

Part of the Jets' plan is to "use one of the club's two remaining visa positions to recruit a Chinese player, with the Jets hopeful of trialing a number of players before making a decision", as reported in the A-League's official website.

Newcastle previously had Chinese striker Zhang Shuo in their roster back in 2010-2011, but he only appeared in eight matches and scored only one goal.

The Jets are said to be looking for a younger player that is also good enough to be included in head coach Scott Miller's starting XI.

"He needs to be able to play a part in the team this year. There is no good just signing someone for the sake of it. He has to be good enough to compete for a position," McKinna added.

TagsChina Football, China Football News, China football 2016, A-League, Newcastle Jets, Wellington Phoenix