Werder Bremen forward Yuning Zhang is loves everything about life in Germany, especially the rice pudding... - © © imago
Werder Bremen forward Yuning Zhang is loves everything about life in Germany, especially the rice pudding... - © © imago

Rice pudding fuelling Werder Bremen striker Yuning Zhang's Bundesliga adventure

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Some listen to rap, others look to the heavens - Tony Yeboah used to snaffle a Yorkshire pudding - but what gets the juices of Werder Bremen loan signing Yuning Zhang flowing before a big game?

"I often have two or three pots of rice pudding with lots of sugar," the China international striker told German tabloid Bild. "I'd never had it before, but I can tell you now: I absolutely love it!"

Fuelled by one of Europe's favourite milk-based desserts, Zhang is flourishing at Bremen. The 20-year-old has already scored twice in Green-White colours during pre-season, a proverbial fly in the face of those who suggested his move was merely a marketing gimmick.

"People can say what they like," the West Brom loanee explained. "I'm very comfortable at Bremen and that’s all that counts. I'm happy to be here. I want to play as much as possible and score lots of goals. I’m ready for the Bundesliga!"

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With a new language to learn, flat packs to assemble and the Bundesliga the ultimate goal, it is all systems go for young Zhang. Hao Junmin (Schalke), Shao Jiayi (1860 Munich, Energie Cottbus) and Yang Chen (Eintracht Frankfurt) are the only Chinese players to have tasted Bundesliga football to date, but a fifth name could be about to join the party. Good news for Bremen, great news for Chinese football and a boon for rice pudding sales worldwide.

Chris Mayer-Lodge

Watch: China's Shao Jiayi is part of the Bundesliga Legends Network

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