By David Owen
September 12 – Manchester City have enlisted the help of Sun Jihai, their former player, in their efforts to better exploit the vast 1.3 billion-strong Chinese market. The defender, who turns 38 this month, made 130 league appearances for the club during a six-year stint between 2002 and 2008.
He was the first Chinese player to score in the English Premier League; in October 2002 in a 2-0 win over Birmingham City.
Sun, who has been turning out this year for Chongqing Lifan in the Chinese Super League, has been appointed Club Ambassador for City in China. As such, he will promote the club’s work within the local community and with local partners in China, as well as engaging with City fans there at events and on social media.
Sun said he was “very much looking forward to working with the professional marketing and management team at City to promote football in China”, which is widely seen as a likely host for one of the next two or three FIFA World Cups after Qatar 2022.
Ferran Soriano, City’s chief executive, said: “We believe that with Sun onboard we can build a stronger link between the club and our fans in China and…work more closely with our China-based partners.”
Earlier this year, the club, which now vies with rivals United for “best team in Manchester” bragging rights, completed a partnership with DJI Holdings, a Chinese lottery firm.
Sun, who also spent time in England with Crystal Palace and Sheffield United, amassed 80 Chinese international caps. His appearances included the clash with Costa Rica at the 2002 World Cup. However, he picked up an injury early in the game and was forced to miss the rest of the tournament, including his country’s match with the Brazil of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho.
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