Dong signs extended deal with Man Utd
Chinese striker Dong Fangzhuo has signed a new contract with English Premier League side Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2010.
The 21-year-old striker signed for United in January 2004 for a fee that could reportedly rise to almost $7 million. But he has spent the first two seasons of his European career at Manchester United's Belgian partner club Royal Antwerp, as he was not eligible for a UK work permit.
According to a report on Manchester United's official website yesterday, Dong has now earned a work permit and is ready to begin his career in England.
As quoted on the website, United manager Alex Ferguson is looking forward to the prospect of working closely with Dong.
"We're all excited he has eventually arrived and can start playing," he said. "He sacrificed two and a half years at Royal Antwerp, which showed great patience and determination."
"He is quick and athletic and he can only improve by training with the first team squad here," he added.
Dong scored 35 goals in 61 games for Royal Antwerp, but his only prior appearances for United have been in pre-season friendlies in South Africa and China. He has played seven times for the China national team, scoring one goal.
The striker was a relative unknown for Chinese Super League side Dalian Shide when he was snapped up by United, who currently sit top of the English Premier League.
The move was widely viewed as a commercial move by the club to tap the potential of Chinese soccer, but the contract extension suggests the club believes he still has potential to develop.
China Daily
(China Daily 01/18/2007 page24)
