AROUND THE GROUNDS: Around the World

NAME

Sun Jihai

CLUB

Manchester City

AGE

Born 30th September 1977

HOMETOWN

Dalian, China

POSITION

Defender

SQUAD NUMBER

17

SIGNED FOR CLUB

3rd March 2002

PREVIOUS CLUBS

Dalian Wanda (China)
Crystal Palace

HEIGHT

177cm

DEBUT

2001/2002 season

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Sun Jihai is one of two Chinese players in the Premiership (along with Li Tie of Everton) and a sign of China's improvement in the world of football. He also became the first Chinese player to score in the Premiership when he headed home Manchester City's opening goal in their 2-0 win over Birmingham City in December 2002.

Like many players from developing football countries, Sun Jihai has had to struggle hard for his place in the top division. After an unsuccessful spell with Crystal Palace, he returned to the Chinese league. But Kevin Keegan had spotted his potential as an attacking wing-back and offered him a trial at Manchester City. A £2 million contract soon followed (a record for a Chinese player) and despite being booked twice in his first seven games, Sun has now grown accustomed to the pace of the Premiership.

He has gradually become a regular member of the City side over the last two seasons. Sun was also a key member of the Chinese World Cup side, but had little chance to impress after he picked up an ankle injury in the first game and had to watch the rest of China's matches from the stands.