Chinese international Dong Fangzhou has signed a new contract at
Manchester United and will now begin his Premiership career in
earnest.
The striker has been farmed out to United's feeder club Royal
Antwerp for the last two-and-a-half years, but was awarded a work
permit in December and has now been welcomed into Sir Alex
Ferguson's first team squad.
Dong has been handed a new deal that lasts until 2010 and will wear
the number 21 shirt at Old Trafford as he looks to become the first
Chinese player to make a senior appearance for The Red
Devils.
His contribution since arriving from Dalian Shide in January 2004
has been restricted to pre-season tours, but Ferguson insists Dong
has a role to play at United for the foreseeable future.
"We're all excited he has eventually arrived and can start
playing," Ferguson told the club's official website.
"He sacrificed two-and-a-half years at Royal Antwerp, which showed
great patience and determination.
"He is quick and athletic and he can only improve by training with
the first team squad here."