With big name signings including Argentine international Javier Mascherano, Heibei China Fortune has vowed to secure an AFC Champions League (ACL) spot with an eye on the Chinese Super League title.
At a pre-season press conference held on Thursday in Wuhan, all the players appeared on the stage to meet the fans and media, including the newly arrived Mascherano, prolific striker Ezequiel Lavezzi and Kouassi Gervinho.
Last season, Hebei China Fortune finished fourth on the Chinese Super League (CSL) table, missing out on what would have been their first appearance in the AFC Champions League.
"In the new season, our top priority is to win an ACL ticket", Fu Qiang, manager of the club, said at the ceremony, "and of course we share a common goal with the other teams, that is to win the championship".
Hebei China Fortune had a busy and fruitful off-season as the club signed the highly decorated Argentine defender Mascherano from Barcelona. The arrival of excellent domestic players Jiang Zhipeng, Hu Rentian, Feng Gang and Wang Qiuming also strengthens the squad.
"For me and for the team, the goal is to stay in the best form. We will strive for every win in the new season, trying to obtain a satisfactory result," Mascherano said.
Setting out for the new season, Hebei China Fortune will visit Tianjin Taida in the first round on Saturday.
