Chinese Int'l Li Tie Signs Permanent Deal With Everton

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, August 13, 2003

Chinese Int'l Li Tie Signs Permanent Deal With Everton

Chinese international Li Tie has signed a three-year contract with English premier league club Everton, ending a transfer negotiation which dragged on for more than two months.

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Chinese international Li Tie has signed a three-year contract with English premier league club Everton, ending a transfer negotiation which dragged on for more than two months.

Everton confirmed the move on Tuesday but did not disclose the fee, which had been the major sticking point in the talks.

The midfielder's move had been deadlocked due to a disagreement in fee as Li's former Chinese club Liaoning reportedly demanded at least 1 million pounds while Everton insisted on 600,000.

They finally agreed on the fee but failed to see eye to eye in the way of payment.

A China-based fund, which was set up to facilitate Chinese players' move to European league, stepped in at last stage to clear the obstacle.

The fund, named "Chinese players move to world top league", will pay Liaoning club the fee before receiving installments from Everton.

"I could not disclose the fee, all I can say is both sides are very satisfied with the fee," said Li's agent Xu Hongtao.

"The fund will continue to help other top Chinese players move to European leagues," he said. "We wish to see more Chinese players in Europe."

Li Tie, 25, was loaned to Everton last summer as part of the sponsorship deal between Everton and Chinese telecom company Kejian. His loan expired on June 30.

To many people's surprise, Li proved to be a star in his own right, as he became an integral part of the Everton last season, making 29 appearances in the English premier league.

He played so well in his first European season that other premier league clubs such as Newcastle United and Leeds expressed interest in the midfielder.

But Li made it no secret that Everton would always be his top choice.

"Though some other clubs contacted me, I have never changed my mind," he said.

Li had kept upbeat on his Everton move throughout the marathon talks, believing that his value had won recognition from the club.

"If I had not wanted to stay at Everton, or if Everton had not appreciated my value, the talks would break down much earlier," he said.

Everton open their 2003-2004 season on Saturday against Arsenalat Highbury where Li is likely to feature in the side.

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