Why Dunfermline Athletic footballer Leon Jones plays as ‘Lok On’ in Scottish Championship – ‘it’s important to acknowledge my Chinese heritage’
- The 23-year-old former Scotland youth captain opts to change name on back of his shirt at Fife-based club
- ‘I’m extremely proud to be half-Chinese,’ says Jones, who dreams of playing for Hong Kong or China
Dunfermline Athletic football star Leon Jones has been building his fan base in East Asia after opting to have his Chinese name on the back of his club jersey, in a tribute to his Hong Kong-born mother and Chinese-born grandparents.
The 23-year-old centre-back signed for the Scottish Championship side in August after graduating from the University of Kentucky in the US, where he starred for the NCAA division one Wildcats team.
“Lok On means ‘happy and peaceful’ and was chosen by my mum when I was born. It also represents my name Leon in Chinese,” said Jones, whose full Chinese name is Jung Lok-on (Zhong Lean simplified).
“Ever since I was wee, I have always said if I get the opportunity to have a name on the back of my jersey I would choose ‘Lok On’. Having it on my jersey is especially meaningful to me as I feel it’s important to acknowledge my Chinese heritage. I am extremely proud to be half-Chinese and I hope the Chinese fans are pleased.
“I have actually had many messages and even mailed letters from China since signing with my new team – people sending their best wishes and hoping that I can represent the national team.”