Sun Jihai

**Sun Jihai**

**Definition:**
Sun Jihai is a retired Chinese professional footballer known for his versatility as a defender and midfielder. He is notable for being one of the first Chinese players to compete in the English Premier League.

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**Sun Jihai**

Sun Jihai (born September 30, 1977) is a former Chinese footballer who played primarily as a defender and midfielder. He gained international recognition for his time in the English Premier League, becoming one of the pioneering Chinese players to compete at this level.

### Early Life and Career
Born in Dalian, Liaoning, China, Sun began his professional career with Dalian Shide in the Chinese Jia-A League. His performances at the domestic level earned him a place in the Chinese national team, where he became a regular starter.

### Career in England
In 2002, Sun Jihai signed with Manchester City, marking a significant milestone as one of the first Chinese players in the Premier League. During his tenure at Manchester City, he made over 100 appearances and was known for his defensive reliability and work ethic. After leaving Manchester City, he had brief spells with Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

### Later Career and Retirement
Following his time in England, Sun returned to China, playing for clubs such as Chengdu Blades and Guizhou Renhe before retiring from professional football. Post-retirement, he has been involved in football coaching and development in China.

### Legacy
Sun Jihai is regarded as a trailblazer for Chinese footballers abroad, inspiring a generation of players to pursue careers internationally. His success helped raise the profile of Chinese football on the global stage.

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**Meta Description:**
Sun Jihai is a retired Chinese footballer known for his pioneering role in the English Premier League and his contributions to Chinese football both domestically and internationally.