Former Scotland youth team leader Leon Jones is eager to wear the uniform of Hong Kong or his homeland in the upcoming international tournament, as quoted by the South China Morning Post.
Born in 1998, Leon Jones is known for his excellent bounce and keen staring skills despite standing at just 1m80. The 23-year-old defender, who played for Hearts in the Scottish Premier League and captained Scotland's U15s, U16s and U17s, and led Scotland to victory over England in the Sky Sports Victory Shield final as captain, has been lauded for his outstanding performances at the back, and is regarded as Scotland's most outstanding youth soccer talent.
In 2017, Leon Jones left the team to further his education in the United States and joined the Kentucky Wildcats as a core member of one of the most prestigious college soccer teams in the country. Not only did he complete a degree in chemical engineering, but he was also awarded a scholarship. Despite the opportunity to join Major League Soccer, Leon Jones has had his heart set on representing either Hong Kong or our country's team, according to the South China Morning Post.
Jones said, "My mom is from Hong Kong and the family is in the Wong Tai Sin district. I have been to Hong Kong five times so far and it would be a great honor to represent Hong Kong or my country."
"I don't speak Cantonese well, but I can communicate fluently. My mom is from Hong Kong and speaks Cantonese, while my grandparents were born in mainland China before coming to Hong Kong. I would be very happy to play for Hong Kong or China."
"I never hide my Chinese blood and am proud of it! Nowadays, China's league is becoming more and more prosperous and many players with Chinese blood are playing in the European Super League. Therefore, coming to play in China is also an option for me."
After consulting the National Football Association (NFA), Jones has been confirmed as eligible to represent China. His team has reportedly sent his CV and match videos to relevant Chinese organizations including the NFF and Chinese Super League teams, and he expects the Chinese teams to keep in touch and continue to follow his performances on the field. If Jones is able to join the national soccer team, his center back partnership with Jiang Guangtai may be something to look forward to.
