Chen Shaoliang is reportedly keen on continuing to pursue his dream of becoming China's first ever professional Australian Rules Football player despite suffering a debilitating ACL tear during training with Australian Football League (AFL) team Port Adelaide Football Club.

CCTV English reported that Chen was only in his second training session with Port Adelaide when the knee injury happened, but the 23-year-old has not lost hope that he could eventually suit up for the Australian side in the near future as soon as he is completely healed.

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"As a player no one wants to get injured, everyone wants to play the game but I still can train with the guys, in the morning join the training room sitting with the guys listening, learning," said Chen. "That's pretty exciting - I know I had been playing football for 4 years and I hoped one day I could come to Australia to play football."

Port Adelaide had signed the Guangzhou, China native early this year as an international player, the first ever Chinese-born import, in the AFL tournament. His signing was said to be part of a plan to promote the sport in mainland China moving forward.

Team manager John Hinge acknowledged Chen's desire to "play straight away" as soon as he arrived in Australia, but the injury was an unfortunate thing to happen even though "that's part of the journey" of any professional athlete.

Hinge was said to be "impressed" with Chen's "athleticism and drive" when playing the game. He also praised the young man for quickly learning the game.

"For someone who hasn't grown up in Australia the game is quite complicated and it's 360 degrees, someone can come in from any angle - it's a hard game to learn," Hinge said.

China.org reported in June that Australian Rules Football is set to be introduced in China this year with Chen as its poster boy.

The promotion of the sport actually began three years ago when Chen was still a university student. His school at that time formed a local club that played the sport and students who participated in it were reportedly hooked as the rules are designed to "reduce body contact and encourage speed and movement" than regular football.

TagsChina Football, China Football News, Australian rules football, Australian Football League, Chen Shaoliang