A Chinese-language website offering exclusive stories and video from England's top football league was launched Tuesday to tap into the soccer-mad fan base of the world's largest nation.

The website, set up jointly by China's top portal Sohu.com and online football firm PremierGoals Ltd, will offer exclusive content from 16 of the 20 clubs in the English Premier League, organisers said.

The website www.premiergoals.com will also offer mobile services geared toward fans in the Chinese market, they said.

"The backdrop to PremierGoals's decision to promote football in China is the country's explosive growth in Internet and mobile use," said Henrik Barck, the firm's co-founder and CEO.

"We look forward to working to increase the fan base as well as building the club brands further."

The new website is expected to build a bridge between English football and Chinese-speaking fans who will now be able to keep up with the latest news and matches from the league, Sohu.com officials said.

"The Premier League matches have always been the most favourite among the Chinese fans," said Ao Ming, editor-in-chief of Sohu sports.

"According to statistics, there are at least 30 million Premier League fans in China."

On hand to help with the launch was the former England manager and current manager of Manchester City, Sven-Goran Eriksson, who announced his club was likely to tour China in May or June next year.

"Delivery of the wealth of official content in Chinese language will allow Manchester City fans in China to enjoy a wide range of terrific content," Eriksson said.

City has been followed avidly by Chinese fans since midfielder Sun Jihai joined the side in February 2002.

Tuesday's launch comes after Arsenal established a Chinese-language website last month, following in the footsteps of Chelsea, which opened a similar site earlier this year.

Meanwhile Manchester United toured Asia in July and played two matches in China, while Chelsea are set to tour China next year.