Former Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon is happy playing in China with Dalian Yifang.

Rondon followed Rafa Benitez from the Toon to Dalian.

He told the Mirror: “When I received the phone call, he said it was Rafa Benitez. He told me he wanted me to come to Newcastle, I was honoured and I shared a great year with him there and then again in China.

"You have to take that chance. It was a great opportunity.

“I love working with him, he tried to help me a lot. He is amazing, a coach who I learned a lot from in my career and he's a legend, an amazing manager.

“He has been a huge influence on me and my career.

"When the training session finishes, I stay on the pitch because that's my style. Ever since I started in Venezuela, every team mate said to me the rule of the striker was to arrive early and stay behind to work another hour on finishing.

“Always in my career, it's been my style. That is what Rafa Benitez is like. I want to learn every day and that's the main point with Rafa.

"He always enjoys working with the players."