Shao suits 1860 München
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
Article summary
TSV 1860 München have paid Guang Beijing €2m for their Chinese international Jiayi Shao.
Article body
TSV 1860 München have completed the most significant 1. Bundesliga signing of the January transfer window so far by paying Chinese club Guang Beijing €2m for their international midfield player Jiayi Shao.
Contract until 2007
A member of China's FIFA World Cup squad, where he played two games, the 22-year-old left winger has been on the verge of a move to the Olympiastadion since the window opened on 1 January, but had to wait until today to seal a deal which ties him to the Bavarian club until 2007.
One for the future
Even though 1860 München are pushing for a place in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup - they lie sixth in the 18-team Bundlesiga after 17 matches - coach Peter Pacult will not rush into fielding Shao. "He is a player for our future," Pacult said. "We will take care of this boy so that he will develop and get used to his life in Munich, physically as well as personally."
Bundesliga honour
Although Chen Yang can lay claim to being the first Chinese player in German football, Shao will be his country's sole representative in the top flight as Yang currently plays for relegated FC St. Pauli. Two of China's other World Cup stars, Li Tie and Jihai Sun, have performed with distinction in English football this season for Everton FC and Manchester City FC respectively.
