| Fan Zhiyi |
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Fan's biggest strengths is his superb fitness as well as his excellent positional play and distribution from the back. The 6-foot tall defender also has good aerial ability and strength. BIOGRAPHY A folk hero and football icon in his native country , Fan was a regular fixture in the People's Republic Of China national team and was a very influential player, even winning the Captain's armband. He anchors their defence and has been capped a record 107 times for his country before his international retirement. In Fan's early playing days for Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese First Division, Fan's versatility as a player meant he played in several positions until he settled into central defence as a Sweeper . In season 1998/99, Fan made national headlines when he left Shanghai to join English First Division side Crystal Palace , where he, along with Sun Jihai, became the first Chinese footballers to play in the English leagues. Fan soon established himself as an important player at Palace and was popular with the Palace fans and staff, as well as winning Palace many new fans in the UK and back in China. After securing 2002 World Cup qualification for the PRC in October 2001, Fan was transferred to Scottish Premiership outfit Dundee FC for £350,000. In March 2002, he moved from Dundee FC to join Shanghai Zhongyuan on loan. After a spell on trial at Gillingham , Fan joined English Second Division side Cardiff City in November 2002. In October 2003 the much-travelled veteran returned to Asia and signed a one-year contract to become player-coach of Hong Kong side Buler Rangers . However his stay in Hong Kong lasted just several months, as in early 2004 he moved back across the border to become the captain of C-league Division 1 side Zhuhai Zhongbang in Zhuhai . The team was promoted to Super League one year later and renamed to Shanghai Zhongbang . On a final note, Fan has often stated his desire to move into coaching once he hangs up his boots for good. HONOURS 2002 Asian Footballer Of The Year Award. CAREER HISTORY
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