Biography
Who is Sun Xiang?
Early career and Shanghai Shenhua
Sun Xiang began his professional football path with the club Shanghai 02. After this organization merged into Shanghai Shenhua, he joined the first team squad in 2002. During that season, he played alongside his twin brother, Sun Ji, and they both successfully secured spots in the regular rotation.
By the 2003 season, Sun became the primary choice for the left-back position. He helped the team win the top-tier league title that year. However, in 2013, the Chinese Football Association eventually revoked this specific title. This action followed an investigation revealing that the general manager of the club, Lou Shifang, had bribed officials to influence match outcomes during that 2003 season.
European football experience
In 2006, Sun and his brother participated in trials for the Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. Although the club declined to sign both brothers, they agreed to bring Sun on a loan arrangement for the 2006 to 2007 season. He made his official debut for PSV on February 17, 2007, in a victory against Heracles Almelo. This appearance marked him as the first Chinese footballer to play in the Eredivisie.
Shortly after, on February 20, 2007, he made his European continental debut in a victory against Arsenal. This made him the first Chinese player to appear in the UEFA Champions League. Later, on July 1, 2008, Sun began a loan spell with the Austrian Bundesliga team Austria Wien. He played his first match for the club on July 9, 2008, during a draw against SK Austria Kärnten. He scored his first league goal for Austria Wien on March 7, 2009, in a match against LASK Linz.
Guangzhou Evergrande success
On April 28, 2010, Sun announced his transfer to the second-tier club Guangzhou Evergrande instead of joining the A-League team Sydney FC. He debuted for his new team on July 21, 2010, in a 10 to 0 victory against Nanjing Yoyo. His first goal for Guangzhou occurred on September 18, 2010, during a 2 to 1 win against Yanbian FC.
During that 2010 season, he made fourteen appearances as the team secured first place in the league and earned promotion to the top flight. In 2011, the club invested heavily in its roster, including the addition of player Darío Conca. With this improved squad, Sun helped the team win its first top-tier championship in the 2011 season. He continued to contribute to the club's success, including their 2013 AFC Champions League victory.
Final years and retirement
Sun moved to the Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG on January 5, 2015. He played his first game for the team on March 7, 2015, in a win against Jiangsu Sainty. In July 2016, he was involved in an incident during a match against Shanghai Shenhua where he accidentally collided with Demba Ba, causing a leg fracture.
Later that year, in December 2016, reports emerged stating that Sun had been diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma. The athlete did not confirm or clarify the accuracy of these reports. On February 6, 2017, the club announced that Sun had departed the team, citing physical problems as the reason for his exit.
Birthday and age
Sun Xiang was born on January 15, 1982, which makes Sun 44 years old today. That birthday falls under the Capricorn sign. Sun shares the date with 31 other famous people.
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