Wu Lei aims to help Espanyol back into La Liga

MADRID -- Chinese star footballer Wu Lei said on Friday that he believes his side, relegated Espanyol, will soon return to the top division and that he wants to be part of it.

Espanyol suffered their first relegation to the Spanish second division since 1993 after losing to local rivals FC Barcelona on Wednesday, which Wu said made him and his teammates desperately frustrated.

"I think you felt more disappointed and frustrated than the team after we experienced this terrible season, " Wu said in a letter he wrote to fans on social media.

Wu, who has scored eight goals for Espanyol so far this season, had been linked to a move to English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers. But the 28-year-old striker says he has no plans to depart.

"We must fight together for a return to La Liga, it means a lot for our history, our club and our lives. Just like our team's song goes: 'the white is our heart, the blue is our soul."

"I hope we will be together soon to celebrate victory in the RCDE Stadium. Football means nothing without your support. I believe we will be back to La Liga soon. Come on! Espanyol!" Wu exclaimed.

Wu joined Espanyol in January 2019. His contract runs out in December 2020.