JI-SUNG PARK, profile


Ji-sung Park, or "Ji" as he is called by his United team-mates, is a skilful and energetic player, who can play on the left, on the right, or in the centre of midfield.

His potential to make the leap from Asia to Europe was spotted by Guus Hiddink, who coached Park in the national team before and during the 2002 World Cup.

Later that year, after Korea's phenomenal run to the semi finals, Park followed Hiddink to PSV.

Although he gained widespread recognition in 2005 after scoring against AC Milan in the Champions League semi-finals, Park had been gradually building a reputation at PSV as one of the most highly-regarded young midfielders in Europe.

He began his career with Japanese side Kyoto Purple Sanga in 2000. A regular in the South Korean national side from a young age, he played in all of his country's seven matches in a sensational run to the semi finals of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

He moved to PSV on 21 December 2002, but played only a fleeting part as the Dutch side claimed the Eredivisie that year.

Two years later, fully adapted to European football, he was an integral component of Hiddink's side that clinched Holland's League and Cup Double in 2005.

Sir Alex Ferguson's network of scouts have closely followed Park's development since his relocation to Europe. The United boss had the midfielder watched more than 20 times before finally signing him. The Reds made their move just as a host of other clubs, including Chelsea and a number of Italian sides, declared their interest.

Adapting to the English Premiership is Park's biggest test, but he has impressed everybody at the club so far. His pedigree on the European stage, however, is already proven. He played 23 games in the Champions League, scoring twice, for PSV. Remarkably, he had notched over 50 international caps by his 24th birthday.

United announced they had agreed an undisclosed fee for Park, believed to be around £4million, on 22 June 2005. Due to a delay in obtaining a work permit, the South Korean international had to wait until 8 July before he could complete his move to Old Trafford.

***

• Born: 25 February 1981, Seoul, South Korea
• Signed: 8 July 2005, from PSV Eindhoven
• Fee: £4million
• Other Previous Clubs: Kyoto Purple Sanga
• Debut: 9 August 2005 v Debrecen (H) Champions League
• International Team: South Korea

(Source: www.manutd.com)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NANI Sign New Deal with United

Image
Portugal winger Nani has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United, the England giant club. His impressive form this season has made MU a deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2014. Nani had been the subject of plenty of criticism after failing to live up to his £17 million price tag since moving to United in 2007, but he has proved his worth over the past few months - producing a number of scintillating displays, including a man of the match performance in the 3-1 over Arsenal. Nani had been the person of plenty of criticism after deteriorating to live up to his £17 million rate since moving to MU in 2007, but he has proved his value over the past few months - producing a sort of brilliant displays, including a man of the match action in the 3-1 triumph over Arsenal. "Nani is an emerging talent in this team and has developed greatly since joining the club," United coach Sir Alex Ferguson told the club's official website. "We ar...
Read more

Wayne Rooney Profile

Image
Wayne Rooney WAYNE MARK ROONEY Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer. He plays as a striker for Manchester United, a Premier League club, and the England national team. He was born 24 October 1985 at Croxteth, a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. His parents, Thomas Wayne and Jeanette Marie Rooney, are from Irish descent. Rooney and his younger brothers (Graeme and John) was brought up Catholic in Croxteth. Wayne Rooney joined Everton youth club since he was 9 years old, and made his professional debut in 2002. But he just spent two years in this club before moving to Manchester United in the 2004 when he was 18 years old. United actually got a hard competition from Newcastle United that bid £ 20 million for Rooney . But Manchester United has won the bidding war with a bid of £ 25.6 million . This is the highest fee ever paid for a player who is still under 20 . Rooney has brought United won the Premier League four time...
Read more

SUAREZ Makes a Perfect Start for The Reds

Image
Luis Suarez, an instant hero in the Reds' 2-0 victory against Stoke City Luis Suarez enjoyed a dream debut for Liverpool as he stepped off the bench to score the second goal in a 2-0 win over Stoke and prove that life goes on without Fernando Torres at Anfield. The Uruguayan made a £22.8million move to England from Ajax in the January transfer window as part of Kenny Dalglish's plans to rebuild the 18-time champions of England. And, although he began the match among the substitutes, Suarez could not have announced himself in any better fashion than with a goal at The Kop end following his 63rd minute introduction. Wearing the No.7 shirt made famous by Dalglish and Kevin Keegan, the striker could yet see the Premier League's dubious goals panel deny him his 79th minute strike following the intervention of Andy Wilkinson, but he still claims the spotlight. Raul Meireles had put Liverpool in front in the 47th minute, while injured £35m-man Andy Carroll was watching...
Read more