Former Chinese soccer player Dong Fangzhou appeared at Manchester United's home stadium, Old Trafford.
'UtdDistrict', which covers Manchester United news, reported an interview with Dong Fangzhou on the 13th (hereinafter Korean time). Dong Fangzhou said in an interview, “Many people may have forgotten that there was a Chinese player at Manchester United, but I am always grateful for your support.”
Dong Fangzhou began his career as a soccer player with the Dalian Sidelong youth team in 2000. He participated in the 2001 FIFA Under-17 World Cup and was selected for the U-23 national football team. He joined Dalian Shide, a prestigious club in the Chinese Super League, in 2004.
Surprisingly, Dong Fangzhou joined Manchester United in 2004. Manchester United's first Korean player was Park Ji-sung, but Manchester United's first Asian player was Dong Fangzhou. Dong Fangzhou's joining Manchester United had a big marketing aspect through selling broadcasting rights and goods.
Dong Fangzhou, who had little experience with the national team, failed to receive a work permit for the English Premier League and was loaned to Royal Antwerp in the Belgian professional league. In Antwerp, which was in the Belgian first division at the time, he scored one goal in nine games in the second half of the 2003-2004 season, but the team was relegated to the second division.
In the Belgian second division, Dongfangzhou reached its full potential. He showed his potential in the 2004-2005 season with 6 goals in 19 games, and then scored 18 goals in 28 games in the 2005-2006 season. At this time, Dong Fangzhou even became the top scorer in the Belgian second division and was treated as a legend in Antwerp.
In the end, Dong Fangzhou returned to Manchester United, scoring 34 goals in 71 games over four seasons in Belgium. In 2006, Dong Fangzhou received a Premier League work permit, and Manchester United signed a formal contract with Dong Fangzhou for 3.5 million pounds (about 6 billion won) based on his performance in Belgium.
He scored the winning goal in the 38th minute of the second half of the pre-season tour of South Africa against Kaizer Chiefs FC, and Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson at the time also praised Dong Fangzhou. However, it was very difficult to establish himself as a starting player in Manchester United, which was the strongest team.
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