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Korean Park signs for Man Utd

June 22, 2005 17:00 IST

South Korea midfielder Park Ji-sung has signed for Manchester United in a $7.3 million deal, his agent said on Wednesday.

Park Ji-sungThe 24-year-old midfielder will join the English Premier League club from PSV Eindhoven on a four-year contract subject to a medical.

A United spokeswoman said the player's registration for the club was also conditional on Park being granted a work permit.

"PSV and Manchester United have agreed on Park's transfer," Park's agent Kim Jung-il said.

"Park goes to England this afternoon for a medical test. We are happy the deal was concluded to everybody's satisfaction."

Park, who helped PSV win the Dutch title and reach the Champions League semi-finals last season, will become the first South Korean to play in the Premier League.

"I'm confident I can prove myself at one of the world's top clubs," Park said at Inchon airport.

"As a Korean I will prove that Koreans can play at that level."

Park played a key role in South Korea's run to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals, scoring one of the goals of the tournament to knock out Portugal.

United were anxious to secure the player's signature before next month's pre-season tour to the Far East but Park is determined to prove his ability on the pitch.

"I want to show my value to United in terms of my ability, not for some marketing strategy for Asia," said Park, set to earn $3.6 million a year at Old Trafford. "I'm not going to England for business."

Park and South Korea team mate Lee Young-pyo were signed by PSV coach Guus Hiddink after the Dutchman worked with the pair at the 2002 World Cup.

Several European clubs were alerted to Park's potential after he scored against AC Milan in the Champions League semi-final.

Park also scored in South Korea's 4-0 win in Kuwait this month that took the country to their sixth successive World Cup.

Fellow South Korea international Seol Ki-hyeon plays for English second division club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

 

Kim Yoo-chul
Source: REUTERS
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