Newcastle Jets signing Zhang Shuo has been rated as a good as two-time A-League Golden Boot winner Shane Smeltz.

The 26-year old former Chinese international comes to the A-League with big wraps and Jets coach Branko Culina said somebody told him he was as good as the Gold Coast United and New Zealand star.

"Someone said to me he was a better player than Shane Smeltz," Culina told the Newcastle Herald.

"I know one thing, he is not as good a finisher as Shane Smeltz. But let's wait and see.

"I'm not sure what to expect goal-wise out of him.

"I think he will score a few goals, but I think he will also bring players into the game. If he can do that we will be quite happy."

Zhang said he was looking forward to getting things started with the Jets after missing the first two matches and was delighted he had been given a chance to play professionally in Australia.

"I will work hard and maybe I'll have a chance, maybe not, but that's not important. I'll work hard for the future," Zhang said.

"It's only been two games and the first was away, so I think the team will get better and I will try to score goals.

"The first time I went to Australia I saw that it was a very good country and the football was good so I thought maybe I would play in Australia."