Last month, Djulbic, 28, joined the club on a two-year deal from Gold Coast United and has immediately struck up a good partnership with club captain Sun at the centre of the Shaanxi rearguard.

“To be honest, he’s a very physical player and sometimes when I see him tackle I go, ‘Oh my God, I don’t want to be playing against him!’”, Djulbic told au.fourfourtwo.com.

Socceroo fans may have memories of Sun from a World Cup qualifier in Kunming three years ago. His horrendous, studs-up, two-footed tackle on Luke Wilkshire late in the 0-0 draw was easily a red card and a potential leg-breaker. Incredibly he wasn’t even booked.

“Sun is one of the most respected players in the Chinese league with over 100 caps for China... not many Chinese players have been in the EPL, so he’s very well respected. Everyone loves him," said Djulbic.

“The combination has been working well so far and I’m really enjoying it. We haven’t conceded a goal yet. He speaks English well too which helps."

And with the muscular Djulbic alongside him at Shaanxi, there's little doubt this should continue to be a formidable central partnership for a team some are tipping to win the title this year.

No goals conceded in their opening two games has been a promising start as they sit joint top with Hangzhou Greentown.

"Technically they are very good and the standard is very good from what I’ve seen from two games," said Djulbic.

"Maybe the games are tactically more organised but not as physical as the A-League."

A 1-0 win over Shenzhen Ruby last weekend - courtesy of a Djulbic winner - followed on from an opening day 2-0 victory against Liaoning Whowin in front of 50,000 at the Shaanxi Province stadium.

The move to China has been smooth sailing for the 193-cm Djulbic, who was born in Bosnia but raised in WA before stints with South Melbourne, Perth Glory, Rot-Weiss Ahlen and on Cliver Palmer's franchise.

The Shaanxi side has a mix of foreign outfield players (not foreign goalkeepers are permitted) and eight Chinese national team stars.

“We have a Serbian player so we speak in my mother language. And there’s a Slovakian so we speak in Slav and English and there’s an Italian guy who speaks English and there’s a Brazilian guy who doesn’t speak English but has a translator.

“And the coaching staff is Slav as well so it makes it easier for me. And Sun speaks English."

This season, with the longer A-League off-season and good money on offer in comparison, China has become a hotspot for A-League talent with Djulbic joining the likes of Adam Kwasnik, Dean Heffernan, Brendon Santalab, Bruce Djite, Alex Wilkinson and Joel Griffiths in the league.

Even coaches are making their marke with newly appointed Chengdu Blades gaffer Lawrie McKinna two games into his new season.

Djulbic added: “Obviously here it’s a bit different to Gold Coast. We’re in the middle of China so there’s no beach but I’m learning about the culture here and looking forward to see the rest of the country.

“And when I walk down the street because I’m 193cm I get people all the time turning around and taking photos of me.”