China

Shanghai's two CSL clubs to merge

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-02-08 14:54

Shanghai United owner Zhu Jun is set to buy a majority share in city rivals Shanghai Shenhua and merge the two clubs, according to a report in the Beijing Youth Daily on Thursday.

The new club will play in the Chinese Super League (CSL) under the name of Shenhua, who finished second in the league last season and qualified for the Asian Champions League. United were seventh.

Zhu, who owns one of China's biggest online gaming companies The9 Limited, would not discuss the report that he was about to invest 150 million yuan ($19.37 million) in Shenhua.

"I'm sorry, I can't say anything," he told the paper.

Twice Chinese champions Shenhua are scheduled to play Australia's Sydney United in their opening Asian Champions League Group E fixture on March 3.