CAN the captain of an international Australian Football team make the transition to the game in its country of origin? 

It's a question rarely asked, but one that Port Adelaide will try to answer.

The captain of Team China - which is sponsored by Port Adelaide - has been given the opportunity to play for the Magpies Academy in the SANFL Reserves competition this year.

Chen Shaoliang will train and develop with the rest of Mark Clayton's playing group and play for the Magpies seconds this year.

Arriving in Adelaide on an AFL International Scholarship for the 2016 season, Chen has already been exposed to elite talent having participated in the 2012 AFL Draft Combine where he recorded the second-highest vertical leap of that draft group.

Studying at one of China's elite sports colleges, the test for Chen - and Port Adelaide - will be whether an athlete with an introductory experience in Australian football can be quickly carved into the shape of an SANFL-quality footballer.

"I did play with them before [the Magpies] so I hope I can show my best with my teammates," Chen told portadelaidefc.com.au.

"I want to go for the ball and work for my teammates - I really like to play footy, back in China we'd train three times a week and play games every two weeks.

"Now I'm really excited to play for the Magpies."

Chen at Alberton [pic: Kane Chenoweth]

Chen will train three times a week with Mark Clayton’s Academy group and is likely to start his career across half forward or as a deep forward.

Port Adelaide’s Academy season will commence on Easter Thursday, March 24 against Norwood at The Parade.