Li Tie, an international midfielder on the Premier League side Everton, has placed first in a just-released Chinese footballers' money list. The Everton player tops the tally with his annual income at 7.5 million yuan or over US$900,000, despite a one-year break due to injury.

Li Xiaopeng, captain of the Shandong team, the dual champions at the Chinese FA Cup and League Cup, comes second with his over half a million dollars yearly income.

Li Jinyu, teammate of Li Xiaopeng, is the third.

Manchester City player Sun Jihai takes fourth place with an after-tax salary at US$0.5 million.

(CRI December 23, 2004)