Profile - 31 Fan Zhiyi
By Dundeefc.net
April 23 2002
Fan Zhiyi
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| COST | Undisclosed Fee |
| DATE SIGNED | 15/10/01 |
| PREVIOUS CLUB | Crystal Palace |
| DUNDEE DEBUT | 03/11/01 v Dundee United |
Treated to almost god-like status back home in China, fan is known as 'The Godfather of Chinese Football'.
He became the most expensive player in CHinese history when he was transfered fro m Shanghai to Crystal Palace just over three years ago for a fee of £700,000.
It had been no secret that Ivano had been a long time admirer of the Chinese International, however previous enquiries regarding the player had come to nothing.
However earlier this season the then Palace manager Steve Bruce lost patience with the amount of time Fan Zhiyi was away on international duty and placed him on the transfer list.
Dundee immediately jumped in despatching Dario Magri off to China, where Fan Zhiyi had just led his country to the World Cup Finals.
This quick thinking secured his signature, despite late interest from both Fulham and Aston Villa.
Fan Zhiyi made his debut in the derby at Dens against the Arabs in a 1-1 draw, where unfortunately he was sent off for a second bookable offence of diving, following an earlier booking for a foul.
Television evidence later showed that the referee had made the wrong decision as the player was through on goal when brought down.