Dong Fangzhuo’s £500,000 transfer from Dalian Shide to Manchester United looked to be a monumental success as the Chinese youngster enjoyed a number of loan spells following his switch to the Theatre of Dreams.
However, the striker failed to impress and struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford. So what became of the botched wonderkid?
Fangzhuo joined Sir Alex Ferguson in Manchester as an unknown prospect, who had been named as the most valuable player in an under-17 tournament and scored the odd goal for the most successful team in China's premier division.
As standard protocol following his move in January 2004, the 6 foot striker was unable to qualify for a work permit at just 18-years-old. As a result, he was shipped off to Royal Antwerp, a popular feeder club of the Premier League giants, joining the likes of Paul Rachubka, Phil Bardsley and Eddie Johnson.
Remaining in Belgium, he finished as both the club and league top scorer, netting 18 times in 30 appearances.
He faced a fairly unsuccessful first season in Belgium, scoring just once in nine appearances for Marc Grosjean’s side. Nevertheless, a return to Bosuilstadion for a second season saw the striker reach considerable heights. Seven goals in 22 games looked promising for Fangzhuo, still only 20 years of age at the time, with the club who have been recently managed by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
The future looked optimstic for Fangzhuo, and it was in his third season that he teased fans with his dominant performances and potential, with his transfer fee possibly rising to £3.5 million based on appearances for the Red Devils. Remaining in Belgium, he finished as both the club and league top scorer, netting 18 times in 30 appearances. The Chinese youngster, who was unknown just a few years ago, had become one of the most prolific stars in Belgium, and eyed a return to England soon.
One final season for The Great Old saw Fangzhuo joined by Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson and Fraizer Campbell – who have all gone on to have successful career in England’s top tier – and once again proved his worth a goal every 1.3 games; scoring 11 times in 15 games.
Despite his established reputation within Europe, the talents of Fangzhuo hadn’t quite been noticed elsewhere. When the highly touted Shinji Kagawa arrived at Carrington in 2012, the Japanese international was questioned on his feelings of comparisons to Park Ji-Sung. Park had become United’s second signing from East Asia, with Fangzhuo the first, and was praised by fans for his remarkable endurance and pace.
Nicknamed ‘Three-Lungs’ Park, Kagawa spoke highly of the current Manchester United ambassador; citing the wide midfielder as one of the best Asian players of all time. However, when asked about the other who had represented the club, Kagawa responded, “Sorry, I don’t know who that is?”
Fangzhuo was once again dropped into the reserves, before joining Portuguese outfit Portimonense on the recommendation of former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
And that will be because Fangzhuo only managed to make one appearance in the Premier League. Manchester United had gone from possessing one of Europe’s most productive youngsters, to struggling to remember their Chinese sensation. The striker was eventually granted a work permit, and made his awaited return to United for the concluding half of the 2006-07 season.
In a fight for a first-team spot, the former Dalian Saidelong youth prospect was required to compete with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha, Alan Smith and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. No easy task for any top forward, David Marsh did infact manage to make less appearances; departing from the club without a single Premier League appearance to his name. Fangzhuo ultimately also paid the price, failing to live up to his potential before being transferred back to Dalian Shide.
After 26 demeaning appearances for his former side, which soon saw him dropped to the reserves and failing to make the international squad, a stint in Poland ended as quickly as it began, managing just two appearances with Legia Warsaw despite impressing in pre-season. Struggling to cope with the demands of the professional league, Fangzhuo was once again demoted to the reserves, before joining Portuguese outfit Portimonense on the recommendation of former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Having failed to score since his days with Royal Antwerp, he finally netted for the Algarve-based side with an astonishing long range strike against CD Cinfaes in October 2010. Despite his captivating finish, he spent a considerable amount of time on the bench, and soon terminated his contract in frustration at the lack of gametime.
Fangzhuo has since gone on to represent FC Mika in Armenia, and Hunan Billows of the Chinese second tier. Declining in his commencing season, Fangzhuo finished home just seven goals at his side sat 11th in the league table. Nonetheless, his form somewhat improved in the following season, and the striker went on to make 43 appearances under Zhang Xu.
Now 29-years-old, Fangzhuo features for Hebei Zhongji – again of the Chinese second tier – after a summer signing to the league strugglers. Having scored two goals in his initial seven fixtures, the forward has struggled to recreate his form in Belgium as a Manchester United wonderkid. Having made 13 international appearances for China, he has managed to score on the international scene; grabbing his one and only goal against New Zealand at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Ten years on from his dream move to Manchester United, Fangzhuo can look back with the suggestion his return to England from Antwerp spoiled his gifted potential and glittering form, slipping down the leagues in his native China.
Despite the negatives to his career, Fangzhuo has been able to celebrate silverware in his besieged career, lifting the Armenian Cup with FC Mika in 2011 - their sixth success in the competition.