China captain Zheng Zhi is moving to English Premier League club Charlton Athletic, local media reported on Friday.

The 26-year-old Shandong midfielder will be loaned to Charlton for the rest of this season before completing a formal transfer, the Titan Sports newspaper said.

The Shandong Luneng club will officially confirm the deal at a press conference on Friday, executive manager Han Gongzheng said.

"I hope the Chinese fans can see me play against Arsenal on January 1," Zheng was reported as saying.

Zheng had a two-day trial at the London club in late November after leading Shandong to the Chinese Super League (CSL) and Chinese FA Cup double last season and winning his second CSL player of the year title. He was named China captain in October.

"I won't deny I'm the best footballer in China, but it's only in China," said Zheng, "At the moment the most important thing for me is to keep my feet in the Premier League first."

Zheng was banned after attacking an official during an AFC Champions League match last November and it was his tackle that broke French striker Djibril Cisse's leg in a friendly before this year's World Cup.