Ahead of our Asia Tour this summer, we reflect on an Asian player who made a big impact in east Manchester…
How to follow City on this summer’s Asia Tour
We’ll return to South Korea this time around to face a K League All Stars side and Atletico Madrid after facing Inter in Hong Kong.
And our 2023 trip to Japan and South Korea proved our incredible popularity on that side of the world.
Subscribe to CITY+ to see our Asia Tour 2026 matches
However, early in the noughties, much of our supporter base in Asia came from Chinese fans.
That was all down to one man.
Sun Jihai was a versatile operator, capable of playing anywhere across defence or midfield.
While a determined but unglamorous figure on the pitch, he was a superstar back home.
China, the second most populous country on Earth, has a deep-rooted passion for Premier League football. Despite that, it hasn’t ever proved successful in producing many players for the elite European leagues.
So when Sun became City’s first ever Asian player with a £2 million move from Dalian Shide in 2002, the excitement in China was well documented.
Alongside Fan Zhiyi, he had been the first Chinese man to play in England when on loan at Crystal Palace in 1998.
Asia Tour 2026: Key dates and events in Hong Kong and Seoul
Now he was in England permanently with a side that was destined for promotion to the top flight.
A solid first few months followed as Kevin Keegan’s Blues swept away all the competition to finish top of Division One and seal a return to the promised land.
He would return to East Asia that summer as one of the stars of China’s squad at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Unfortunately, an early injury in their opener ruled him out of the group stage as China crashed out.
However, back in Manchester for the start of the next season, Sun was immediately a first choice at right-back for Keegan.
In a season of highs as City finished ninth and beat Manchester United in the iconic final Manchester derby at Maine Road, Sun was as reliable as they come.
In doing so, he became a cult hero on the Kippax.
Keegan’s sides always attacked relentlessly, sometimes sacrificing defensive solidity.
While that allowed the likes of Nicolas Anelka, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ali Benarbia to fully express themselves, it could prove difficult for the back line.
With Niclas Jensen on the left and Sylvain Distin, Richard Dunne and Steve Howey featuring in the middle, City were well stocked in defence. Although, given our style of play, they would have to be brave and bold.
Although not an overly imposing figure, especially by the measures of English football at the time, Sun was by no means second best in physical battles.
Very much in the mould of full-backs that have gone on to make the biggest mark at the Club, Sun was always willing to put his body on the line.
He also had the composure and close control that made him an effective player further up the pitch, and even sometimes saw him given responsibility to fill in in midfield.
After winning our Player of the Month vote in September 2002, he became the first East Asian player to score in the Premier League when he headed home the first in a 2-0 win over Birmingham City.
A key part of the buildup, Sun brought the ball in from the right and laid it off to Marc-Vivien Foe. The Cameroonian midfielder swung it out wide to Eyal Berkovic, who crossed directly on to Sun’s head on the penalty spot.
It typified both Sun’s determination but also his willingness and license to push forward into unconventional positions for a full-back.
He played even more in 2003/04, City’s first year at the Etihad Stadium, making 42 appearances including five of our six matches in the UEFA Cup.
We found the going tougher that season, but Sun was at his best and was vital in keeping Keegan’s team afloat in the top tier.
A serious injury early in the 2004/05 campaign curtailed that season, meaning he played just seven times.
2005/06 saw a return to fitness and his second most productive season in sky blue, featuring 34 times across all competitions.
Now managed by Stuart Pearce, City were a different side to the one we had been under Kevin Keegan. Although goals were much harder to come by, it was our defence that ensured our continued existence in the Premier League.
We conceded just 48 times across 38 games on our way to a 15th place finish, a better defensive record than anyone else outside of the top eight.
Richard Dunne was the Club’s Player of the Year, but able assistance from Sun amongst others was crucial in that.
The China international remained at City for two more seasons, although his involvement lessened in Pearce’s second year and once Sven-Goran Eriksson took charge.
After six years and 151 appearances, Sun moved on to Sheffield United in the summer of 2008. He stayed there for one season before returning to China, playing until 2016.
Perhaps the most successful Chinese footballing export, Sun made just as much a mark in Manchester as he did in China, without attracting much attention from the rest of the league.
Since retiring, he has headed up the sports data company HaiQui Sports.
Watch our 2026 tour games on CITY+!
Subscribe to CITY+ now to see all three of City’s games during our 2026 pre-season tour of Asia.
We start in Hong Kong against Italian champions Inter on Saturday 1 August, with kick-off at 12:30 (UK).
After that, we go to Seoul to play a K League All-Stars side on Wednesday 5 August and then Atletico Madrid on Sunday 9 August. Both games begin at 12:00 (UK).
All three will be available to watch on mancity.com and our official app for current CITY+ subscribers globally*.
Available for £34.99 for an annual subscription or £9.99 per month, CITY+ gets you closer to the Club than ever before, with documentaries, live games and full-match replays throughout the season.
*City v Inter: Globally available except China, Italy
K League All-Stars v City: Globally available except South Korea
City v Atletico Madrid: Globally available except South Korea, Spain
