Midfielder Nicky Butt is set to take up a short-term deal with South China FC early next year.
Former England star ready for new experience in Hong Kong
Midfielder Nicky Butt is set to take up a short-term deal with South China FC early next year.
The former Manchester United and Newcastle star is expected to travel to Hong Kong this weekend to sign a three-month deal with the club.
Butt will link up with his new team-mates at the beginning of February if a deal is agreed and the 35-year-old admitted he was won over by the enthusiasm of chairman Steven Lo.
"I am not going to lie," he said.
"I have not been studying the Chinese League or Hong Kong for many years. It is all new to me.
"But I have been there two or three times and it is unbelievable how passionate the fans in Asia are.
"The football is not at the level of the Premier League but their fans still take it very seriously."
Experience
The former England international is hopeful of a pleasurable experience in Hong Kong where it has been reported he could be ready to earn a £200,000 weekly salary.
"If it was that amount of money I would be signing for four years, not three months," he laughed.
"At this present time, it just ticks all the boxes.
"I want to go down the coaching route in future but I can't start that until May.
"Hong Kong was a long way from my thoughts but I spoke to a few people about it and the length of the contract fits in perfectly.
"I have been there with United a couple of times and also England but it is going to be different to flying in, playing a game and flying out, which is what you tend to do.
"But when I have been there before I experienced a great warmth from the people and the place itself is amazing."
