PSG soccer club sees net gains in China

Top French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain sees the China market as its next big goal following a successful summer tour that highlighted the club's appeal to domestic fans.

PSG are the French champions and hotly tipped to do well in the Champions League. Their fan base is increasing in China and their match against En Avant Guingamp, another Ligue 1 club, for the Trophée des Champions, which was held at Beijing's Workers' Stadium on Aug 2, drew more than 20,000 fans.

Though no TV coverage of of Ligue 1 in China, PSG have stars that would grace any team, such as Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani.

Frederic Longuepee, vice-chairman of PSG, looks forward to boosting PSG's profile in China.

"Yes, it is a very exciting time for our club to be here," Longuepee told China Daily recently. "As of today, we estimate that 157 million fans are following PSG in Asia and approximately 25 million are in China.

"These figures are not as high as the ones that are usually associated with the English Premier League clubs but one must remember that PSG and League 1 are not broadcast here as is the Premier League." The summer tour took place in part to further publicize the club in China, he said.

Founded in 1970, PSG developed into a major power but since it was purchased by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011 it has entered a new era of dominance. The appointment of manager Carlo Ancelotti in 2011 and a flurry of big-money signings, including Ibrahimovic, helped the club claim its first Ligue 1 title in 10 years in 2013.

The club is focusing on the Asian market, and hosted youth clinics in Hong Kong and Beijing. Its top squad competed in the Trophée des Champions.

"We look forward to consolidating and seeing through a full year of the Paris Saint-Germain Academy. This past season we had many VIP officials from the Chinese Football Association visit PSG and attend matches. We wish to continue to develop these many new relationships and cooperate more in the future," said Longuepee.

However, he said Qatar Sports Investments have no plans to invest in the Chinese league but will keep PSG's door open for talented Chinese players.

"I am certain that we will see more and more Chinese players in Europe in the future."