Chinese defender Li hopes to join Sheffield United
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-05-10 14:43
BEIJING, May 10 -- Chinese footballer Li Tie said he is close to signing
with English Premier League club Sheffield United, a day after being released by
Everton, Chinese media reported on Tuesday.
 The 28-year-old defender said that only fine print stands in the way of
joining the newly promoted United, a club with strong links to China, including
ownership of the Chengdu Blades, a Chinese B-league team.
"Both sides are very positive," the Beijing Times quoted Li as saying.
"There are only a few remaining details to be discussed. Barring any
surprises, we should be able to settle this by the start of next month."
Li's agent, Xu Hongtao, said the player's future in the English Premier
League was simply a matter of time, adding that salary terms had already been
agreed.
"At the latest, Li's formal signing will occur after the World Cup in
Germany," Oriental Sports Daily quoted Xu as saying.
Li, who joined Everton from Chinese club Liaoning Fushen
in 2002, was formally released on Monday after a disappointing season plagued by
injury.
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