Sun Jihai etched his name into football history in October 2002 by becoming the first East Asian player to score in the English Premier League. This milestone occurred during a 2-0 victory for Manchester City against Birmingham City, marking a significant entry for a career that spanned two decades across clubs in China and England.
Early Career and Domestic Success
Born on 30 September 1977 in Dalian, Sun began his professional path with Dalian Shide in 1995. His debut occurred on 28 May 1995 against Sichuan Quanxing. Despite failing to be selected for a youth training camp in Brazil, he remained with Dalian and contributed to four league titles and a Chinese FA Cup victory during his tenure.
Transition to English Football
In August 1998, Sun moved to Crystal Palace alongside Fan Zhiyi, becoming one of the first Chinese players to participate in the English leagues. His debut was a 3-0 loss against Bury in the League Cup. He later joined Manchester City in February 2002 for a £2 million fee. His time at City included a highlight in September 2002 when fans voted him the club's best player.
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The 2004-05 season saw Sun sidelined after tearing cruciate ligaments in a tackle with Eiður Guðjohnsen. He eventually recovered and returned to the starting lineup, but subsequent injuries in the 2006-07 season impacted his consistency. Following his move to Sheffield United in 2008, he struggled to secure a permanent spot and was released in July 2009.
Return to Chinese Football
After a loan spell with Chengdu Blades, Sun joined Shaanxi Chanba in 2010. He served as team captain and relocated with the club when it moved to Guizhou to become Guizhou Renhe. Later, he played for Chongqing Lifan in 2015 before finishing his professional playing days with Beijing Renhe. He announced his retirement from the sport on 10 December 2016.
Business Ventures
In February 2016, while still active on the pitch, Sun founded Beijing Haiqiu Technology Company, known as HQ Sports. By the time of his retirement announcement, he confirmed that the company had secured its first round of funding from Tencent, China Media Capital, and the Yuan Xun Fund. The firm focuses on media, sports technology, and datatainment.
Fast facts
- Born: 30 September 1977, Dalian
- Professional Debut: 28 May 1995
- Manchester City Tenure: 2002-2008
- Retirement Date: 10 December 2016
- HQ Sports Founded: February 2016
- International Debut: 6 December 1996
Questions readers ask
Was Sun Jihai the first Chinese player in the Premier League?
Yes, he and Fan Zhiyi were the first Chinese players to feature in the English leagues when they signed with Crystal Palace in 1998.
Why did Sun retire from the national team?
He received a five-match ban from FIFA following a red card for dissent while on the bench during a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Qatar.
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