Guangzhou R&F FC forward Eran Zahavi was appointed as Israel's "Ambassador for Peace in Sport" on Sunday by former president Shimon Peres in a ceremony held in Jaffa. The event was graced by China's ambassador to Israel, Zhan Yongxin.

It was the first time in more than a month that the 29-year-old former Maccabi Tel Aviv team captain was able to come back to his native country since he was acquired by the Blue Lions in an $8 million transfer deal with the Israeli Premier League giants, the Times of Israel reported.

Like Us on Facebook

Zahavi, who scored a "record 36 goals in his final season in Israel's top league", via CCTV, signed a two-and-a-half-year, $12.5 million deal with Guangzhou R&F on June 29 and had been instrumental in leading the club to climb at the sixth spot of the current China top flight table.

In eight games so far in the Chinese first division domestic league this season, Zahavi had netted six goals and handed out four assists in an impressive display of skills and sportsmanship. He had also helped the Blue Lions win five of his first eight games with the squad.

He was also a leading scorer in the Chinese FA Cup, unleashing a hat trick against powerhouse team Hebei China Fortune coming in as a substitute during the team's 3-0 win on his third game in all competitions for the club.

The title was bestowed "in recognition of the importance of promoting peace and tolerance through football, as well as Zahavi's role in serving as an example and role model for hundreds of thousands of young Israeli and Chinese, Arab and Jewish children," said an official statement.

"Football is an international language. It does not matter if you speak Hebrew, Arabic or Chinese; everyone has a place on the court. I believe that the children here today who are playing together will lead the advancement of peace," former president Peres said.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Guangzhou R&F FC, Eran Zahavi