AUXERRE, France, April 6-- Ji Xiaoxuan, the reigning Player of the Year in Chinese second-tier football league, is ready to start from scratch in the French counterpart following his glory. "Indeed, it has boosted my self-confidence. However, as I have been in France and the award has been the bygone, I need to forget everything about the past and start from scratch here," the Ligue 2 club Auxerre's latest recruit told Xinhua here on Saturday. Auxerre sit 15th among 20 teams in Ligue 2. The 1995-96 Ligue 1 champions took on leaders Metz on Saturday. Ji was unveiled to fans at the Stade Abbe Deschamps prior to the team's first home match since his arrival. Having been in France for over half a month, Ji feels that he has been gradually adjusting himself to a different environment. "Due to time and food difference, and different training intensity, I still need time to adjust to new life," Ji admitted. Ji took his first training practice back on March 19, exactly his 26th birthday. "I feel that something has been destined. I have to work hard. France football is at a high level, so I need to try my best to corporate myself here," said Ji, who is sweating on learning French for better communication with his teammates. "I'm confident that I can adjust myself better in the future," he added. After being crowned the Player of the Year in China, Ji wanted to take adventure abroad rather than stay and accept a possible more favorable offer from domestic clubs. |