Full coverage: Xi Visits Czech Republic, Attends Nuclear Security Summit

China’s President Xi Jinping, who is a fan of the beautiful game, was recently in the Czech Republic on a state visit. And as a sign of the growing ties between the two countries, the Chinese Super League has named former Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved as its new ambassador, replacing English legend David Beckham.

A signing conference was held for Nedved yesterday in Prague, with the president of the Czech Football Association, Miroslav Pelta, and Chairman of the CSL, Ma Chengquan, both attending the ceremony, where Nedved was handed a three-year ambassadorial invitation.

The 43-year-old winner of the 2003 Ballon d’Or happily accepted the offer and promised he will try his best to help the league, and the growth of football in China, especially among the nation’s youth.

The former Sparta Prague, Lazio and Juventus star played 91 games for the Czech national team, helping it to the Euro 1996 final, where it lost to Germany.