Premiership powerhouse Manchester United have formally signed their first-ever Asian soccer player, and he is China's rising star, Dong Fangzhuo.

Dong Fangzhuo's current club, Dalian Shide, reveals the premier league champions agreed on a transfer fee of some three and a half million pounds, which will be paid in installments.

The 18-year-old striker went to Old Trafford for trials last August, where he impressed United boss Alex Ferguson with his dazzling skills.

(CRI January 13, 2004)