In a news conference at the Chengdu Hilton Hotel on Wednesday Sheffield United announced the official setting up of Chengdu Blades Football Club.

United took a majority shareholding in China League club Chengdu Wuniu last December as part of their plans to break into the lucrative Chinese market, and were represented at the press conference by chairman Kevin McCabe and vice chairman Terry Robinson.

Former national team and Dalian Shide striker Hao Haidong also attended the official unveiling of the new club, as did Hao's agent Xu Hongtao (also agent of Sun Jihai and Li Tie) who will be a board director of the new club.

Another former China striker, Li Bin, will be head coach, with an English fitness trainer and assistant coach to be part of the technical staff.

The new club's general manager has yet to be appointed, but Xu Hongtao said Chengdu Blades will recruit a Chinese manager.

Also on Wednesday, Dalian Shide defender Zhang Yaokun joined Sheffield United on loan until the end of the English Championship season.

(Sinosoc.com January 13, 2006)