Melbourne Victory midfielder Ryan Teague weighs up offer to play for China
One of the A-League’s most talented midfielders who captained Australia’s under-17 team is pondering an offer to play his senior international football for China.
Melbourne Victory midfielder and former Australian under-17 captain Ryan Teague is considering pledging his international allegiance to China.
Sources close to 22-year-old Teague have revealed that he has been approached by the Chinese Football Association to represent China at senior international level.
Teague, who is eligible play for China through his mother’s heritage, has also represented Australia at under-23 level but is yet to be called up to the Socceroos squad.
While Teague is yet to decide on committing to China, it’s understood the offer is very tempting from the cashed-up CFA, which has been searching the world for players who can represent the East Asian nation.
Norway-born midfielder John Hou Saeter was part of a Chinese national team training camp this month, while England-born defender Jiang Guangtai, who was previously known as Tyias Browning, has represented China since 2021.
Jiang plays his club football for reigning Chinese Super League champions Shanghai Port, who are coached by former Victory boss Kevin Muscat.
Should Teague also make the switch, there is a chance he could play against the Socceroos in March when China hosts Australia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Hangzhou.
Teague played under Socceroos coach Tony Popovic at the Victory for one season before Popovic parted ways with the club at the end of its 2023-24 campaign.
Popovic was then appointed Socceroos coach in September last year but has preferred other A-League midfielders Luke Brattan and Anthony Caceres in his national squads since his appointment.
Sydney-born Teague made his A-League debut as a 17-year-old in December 2019 for Sydney FC.
It was his only A-League appearance for the Sky Blues, with Teague signing with Portuguese club Famalicao in January 2020.
Six months later he was loaned to another Portuguese outfit, Sporting Clube da Covilha.
Teague eventually returned to the A-League in September 2023 to join the Victory and has made 44 appearances in all competitions for the Melbourne club.
He is set to play against Sydney FC at AAMI on Friday night when the Victory attempt to win for the first time in seven matches.
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