January 8 2001

Crystal Palace

Reports are coming in that Crystal Palace have snapped up Chinese internationals SUN JIHAI and Li Ming. Both players will be on long-term loans with an option to buy.

The last couple of days we informed you about the interest Palace had in three Chinese players. Now we can confirm that the club have signed two of them, former Palace star SUN JIHAI and Dalian player Li Ming.

The third player mentioned earlier, Zhang Enhua, will not be signed in the near future as he is on loan at First Division rivals Grimsby Town.

With this deal Palace have ended their search for a left defender. SUN JIHAI makes his return to Selhurst Park after being sold more than a year ago while the club was in administration.

Crystal Palace are expected to make an

official announcement tomorrow (Tuesday) about this deal.