Three coaches will also join LigaPro teams to 'enhance Chinese players'

But Ledman have now backed down on that part of the sponsorship deal

Chinese players were set for 'minimum usage rate' to ensure they played

Ledman plan to send 10 Chinese players to the league's top 10 clubs

Portuguese second tier will be rebranded as Ledman LigaPro next season

Plans to demand that some of Portugal's top clubs field Chinese players have been shelved after the new sponsors of the second-tier LigaPro division stepped back on their controversial measures.

LED lamps manufacturer Ledman have secured the naming rights for Portugal's Championship equivalent from next season - but included the unusual caveat that teams must accept a raft of players from the sponsor's native country.

Ledman have now withdrawn plans to impose a 'minimum usage rate' on 10 players sent to the top 10 clubs of the LigaPro after widespread criticism, including from the Portuguese players’ union.

Ledman chiefs pose for a photo at the announcement of their new sponsorship deal for Portugal's LigaPro

The announcement of the new deal initially included the requirement for clubs to field Chinese players in future

Clubs could receive monetary boosts if they field Chinese players but there is no requirement for their inclusion.

The Portuguese players’ union had opposed the initial plans, arguing that it would be a move away from a merit-based selection and that such a demand would be illegal anyway.

A plan to send three Chinese assistant coaches to the Portuguese second tier remains.

The division is currently called Segunda Liga but will be rebranded. Next season its 24-team membership is set to be reduced to 22 teams, with further reductions to 20 and then 18 scheduled for the following two seasons.

The Segunda Liga will assume its new 'Ledman Proliga' title from next season with a reduced number of teams

The new deal was announced at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday with league president and former referee Pedro Proenca present.

Ledman are the first Chinese company to become the title sponsor of a major European league.