Teenage striker Yu Dabao says he has what it takes to be a star after winning a place in the first-team squad of Portuguese giants Benfica.

Yu, 18, impressed the Lisbon club with 13 goals in 13 games since joining the reserve team on a three-year contract in April, and now he will compete with main strikers Nuno Gomes and Simao Sabrosa for playing time.

"To be a member of the first-string team is just the start for me. What's important now is preseason preparations that will determine my future in the 18-man squad. I will try to take my chance," Yu was quoted as saying by Titan Sports.

The striker was signed to the reserve team in April from second-division side Qingdao for $535,000, but after his impressive showing he could soon be lining up alongside legendary midfielder Rui Costa. 

"I was more excited than nervous when I trained with the big names for the first time. But after two training sessions, I felt much more relaxed as the atmosphere is good. Everyone is really friendly," Yu said.

The promotion makes Yu the first Chinese player in the Portuguese top flight.

"There is pressure from the media as they are comparing me to the club's other young players. But there is more encouragement from my teammates.

"I am trying not to be distracted and just focus on training. I have to go forward step by step and I believe I will have the chance to compete for the club," Yu added.

Yu's emergence from the reserves also earned him a spot on the national Olympic Team, but he had to miss the just-concluded Eight-Nation International Competition in South Africa in order to fight for his future at Benfica.

"It was pity (not playing for Olympic team for the first time). I hope I will be called up by the Olympic team again. To play on home soil at the Olympic Games is my dream."

To Yu's delight, his former teammate from the national U-17 squad Wang Gang will be joining him in Lisbon. Tianjin-born Wang has signed a similar deal to Yu's: he will first have to prove himself in the reserves before graduating to the main team.

Benfica regularly compete with Sporting Lisbon and FC Porto for the Portuguese Championship. They finished third last season, and made the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup.

(China Daily July 5, 2007)