( CNN ) The Chinese are coming -- to European football -- and billionaire Wang Jianlin hopes his decision to invest $ 52 million for a 20 % stake in Spanish champion Atletico Madrid ( ATM ) will open doors for China 's best players . `` This investment will not only provide a golden opportunity for young Chinese players sent overseas by Wanda to be selected by leading European football clubs , it will also strengthen the quality of Chinese football and narrow the gap between the rest of the world , '' Wang said Wednesday . Wang Jianlin 's Wanda Group will be the first Chinese company to invest in a top-flight European football club . In exchange , Wang will get a seat on Atletico 's board of directors . By 2017 , the 60-year-old Wang aims to be making annual investments of $ 23 million to support the development of 180 young Chinese players in Spain , an initiative dubbed China 's `` Future Star Program . '' Ten-time winners of the La Liga title , Atletico is a club on the up . Last season Diego Simeone 's side not only won the Spanish title but also reached the Champions League final before losing to city rival Real Madrid . Its 2014-15 campaign sees Atletico making a strong defense of the La Liga crown and it also secured a Copa Del Rey win over Real last week . China 's now second richest man previously used his wealth to establish the first Chinese professional football club -- Dalian Wanda F.C . -- just over 10 years ago . I . It 's a team that established an Asian record of going 55 matches undefeated . Wang is following in the footsteps of other Asian businessman who have invested in European football , with Indonesian Erik Thohir at Inter Milan and Singaporean businessman Peter Lim owning a controlling stake in Atletico 's fellow La Liga side Valencia .
Chinese billionaire takes 20 % stake in Atletico Madrid . Wang Jianlin pays $ 52m through his company Wanda Group . Trend of Asian businesses investing in football . Wang wants to pave way for young Chinese players to play in La Liga .