Park Ji-sung scales new heights at United

SOUTH KOREAN Park Ji-sung’s move to Manchester United will make him Asia’s most famous soccer player, Asian Football Confederation general secretary Peter Velappan said yesterday.

Although several Asians have played in the English Premier League and Europe over the years, Velappan said Park’s move to Old Trafford would have the biggest impact.

Velappen said: “Asian players have made their mark in Europe but this is on a different level in terms of the amount of attention he will receive.

“It’s important that Asian players are able to play at the highest level and we are delighted that Park has made the grade.

“A lot of Asian kids will be looking up to him.”

Park is not United’s first signing from East Asia. The club took on Chinese youngster Dong Fangzhou two years ago, but immediately farmed him out to Belgium’s Royal Antwerp.