INTERNATIONAL Scholarship player Chen Shaoliang will don Port Adelaide’s black and white ‘prison bar’ jumper for the first time on Saturday when he debuts for the Magpies reserves at Prospect Oval.

That match takes place ahead of the senior game between Port Adelaide and North Adelaide.

In doing so, he will become the first Chinese national to represent Port Adelaide at any senior grade.

Chen, who celebrated his 25th birthday last Saturday, arrived at Alberton in 2016 as an international scholarship player.

Previously the captain of ‘Team China’ – the Chinese representative team playing in the triennial AFL International Cup – Chen was scheduled to play for the club’s SANFL reserves-grade team in 2016 before injuring his anterior cruciate ligament on the eve of the season.

Chen made his return to football in the Great Southern Football League for Yankalilla earlier this year.

A hard-running, athletic player, Chen recently led China to three wins in the AFL International Cup in Melbourne as team captain. 

“Chen has done everything right in his rehab since injuring his ACL, and a few games under his belt in the Great Southern League and captaining China in the IC17 have done him well," said SANFL coach Chad Cornes.

“It’s an honour to play for the Magpies at any grade, so he’ll be pumped for Saturday - it’s a well-earned opportunity for him.

“Our reserves have played strong footy all year and we’ll be expecting him to play his role in the team and play with trademark Port Adelaide passion and commitment.”

Chen said the debut in a Port guernsey has been a long time coming.

“It’s been such an exciting year for me, to play local footy in Yankalilla, to captain China and now to play my first game for Port Adelaide," Chen told portadelaidefc.com.au

“I can’t wait to play this game and play my role in the team, the Magpies are minor premiers [in the reserves] so I know I will need to play at my best.

“I am very thankful to Chad, Clayts [reserves coach Mark Clayton] and everyone in the Magpies for this opportunity.”

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