Blades-Mad make former Chinese international Hao Haidong their first Player Profile of the 2005-06 season.
39: Hao Haidong
DOB: 9 May 1970
POB: Qingdao, China
Signed: 4 February 2005
Debut: n/a
Previous Clubs: Bayi (1995-1996), Dalian Shide (1997-2005), Sheffield United (2005-)
Hao Haidong, the former Chinese striker started his career with Bayi in 1995, he stayed with the Army based side until signing for Dalian Shide in 1997 and went onto help win the League title for his club in 1997 and 1998.
However in December 1998 Haidong received a twelve month banning order after spitting at a linesman during an Asian Cup Winners' Cup game again Turkmensitan in Bangkok.
During the 1999-00 season Haidong was brought to Bramall Lane on trial by Neil Warnock and a permanent move looked promising but the deal fell through and Haidong return to China.
In 2001 Dalian reached the final of Asian Club Championship in Jeddah despite having earlier that season broken his arm.
Never one to keep out of the public eye Haidong was involved in a slanging match with team coach Bora Milutinovic in April 2001 after being left out of the National Team for the World Cup Qualifications for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea & Japan.
However after netting a bag full of goals in the second phase of that season reinstated Haidong with his place upfront in the national squad.
As for his international career, this started on 22 August 1992 when he played his first cap against North Korea in the Dynasty Cup, he went onto make 115 caps and scored 41 goals for his country.
During his Dalian Shilde career Haidong won no more than nine trophies with the club: Jia A Champions: 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 & 2002. Chinese Super Cup Winners: 1997, 2001 & 2003. China FA Cup Winners: 2001.
Also, they where runners-up in Asian Club Championship in 1997 and Asian Super Cup Runners-Up in 2001.
Haidong was signed by Neil Warnock in early 2005 for a recorded transfer fee of one pound, due to a loop-hole in the transfer system Haidong could not join on a free transfer despite being released by Dalian but was able to sign for a cash transfer.
In February the star scored his first goal in England, having yet to make his first team debut he netted in a reserve game against Walsall which ended 5-2 to the Blades.
During the 2005-2006 pre-season the Blades visited the far East along with Real Madrid and Manchester United, though some may speculate that it was the Blades who had the better reception than those of their European rivals.
Whist on tour in China Haidong played in all three games against Zhejiang Greentown (W3-0) and Liao Ning Zhong Yu/Dalian Shide (L1-3), but scored after 22 minutes with a powerful header against Hu Han Star United as the Blades road home 2-0 winners in front of 20,000.
Signed as a player-coach to take control of the Blades Academy in England and China the striker has yet to make is full debut, could the 2005-06 Championship campaign be his year?
