Zhiyi, Fan

Crystal Palace & China

Birthdate: October 14, 1969
Birthplace: Shanghai, China
Height: 1.83 mts
Weight: 75 kgs
Position: Defender
International: 23 caps, 2 goals (as of August 3, 2000)
World Cups: 0
Previous Clubs: Shanghai
Transfer Fee: -
Fan Zhiyi put a disappointing 1997 behind him to become the first Chinese player to play in England when he joined First Division side Crystal Palace. The improvement in the Chinese international's game was no more evident than in December's Asian Games in Thailand, when the centre-half inspired a young side to beat the host country in the bronze-medal play-off match, after losing to eventual winners fran in the semis.