Beijing: Guangzhou Evergrande striker Elkeson has been named in Marcello Lippi's China PR squad ahead of next month’s Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

The move sees the Brazilian-born forward become the first player without Chinese heritage to be called up by the East Asian powerhouse.

Elkeson, who never featured for Brazil’s senior team, is eligible to play for China after plying his trade in the country since 2013.

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The 30-year-old will be joined by Li Ke – formerly known as Nico Yennaris – after the one-time British passport holder became a naturalised Chinese citizen in January.

Li, who was signed by Beijing Guoan at the beginning of the year, made his debut for China in a friendly against the Philippines on June 7.

China are set to begin their qualifying campaign away in the Maldives on September 10.

Photo: AFP