PARK JI-SUNG - SOUTH KOREA

Date of birth: Feb. 25, 1981
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Club: Manchester United (England)
Position: Midfielder
International debut: April 2000 vs. Laos

Park-Ji Sung has impressed soccer fans in the Netherlands and England for the last four years with his technical brilliance. Now the South Korean sensation is ready to dazzle the rest of the world.

The exceptional midfielder for Manchester United is one of the best Asian players in the world today and promises to be one of the breakout stars in Germany.

A wizard with the ball who can burn defenders with his pacing, Park has great vision and uses it to deliver and distribute the ball to his teammates with pinpoint accuracy in the attacking third of the field.

In many ways, Park is a trendsetter. In 2000 he signed with Japanese club Kyoto Purple Sanga, becoming the first Korean player to go straight to the J-League — the top domestic league in Asia — without first playing in South Korea's K-League.

Park began his career as a defensive midfielder but was transformed into an attacking winger by former South Korean national team coach Guus Hiddink. After making his debut for his country in 2000, Park rose to fame in 2002 when he scored against England and France in a pair of exhibition games before the World Cup.

Park then cemented his status as one of Asia's bright young stars when he scored the winning goal against Portugal to guide South Korea to first place in its group and earn a spot in the second round of the competition.

After a strong World Cup campaign, Park made the move to Europe in 2003, reuniting with coach Hiddink at Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. Park struggled at first in the Netherlands, but he came into his own by the end of the 2003-04 campaign.

At the start of the 2004-05 season, Park was given a starting position with the club after Arjen Robben left for Chelsea. Park thrived in the role and became one of the key players for Eindhoven as the club won the Dutch league title and the Dutch Cup.

Park also shined in European competition, playing a major part in helping Eindhoven reach the semifinals of the 2004-05 Champions League.

Manchester United scouted Park during his time in the Netherlands and signed him to a deal in 2005. The move was criticized as skeptics saw it as nothing more than a PR move by Manchester United for their exhibition tours in Asia.

Park quickly silenced the critics with his tireless work ethic on the field and his wonderfully creative runs that earned him comparisons to Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs. The South Korean also won the respect of the English press with his stellar playmaking and pass-first attitude.

After helping Manchester United to a second-place finish in the English Premiership this past season, Park will be looking to build on his reputation in Germany and guide South Korea to another semifinal appearance at the 2006 World Cup.