Chinese football player Li Tie has arrived in English Premiership side Sheffield and started training with the Blades on Tuesday morning, the official website of Sheffield United reported.

The former Everton midfielder signed with United earlier this summer and has been waiting for his visa clearance before coming over to Sheffield.

Dave Unsworth, who played with him at Everton, praised Li Tie as "an accomplished player who links attack with defense and is a good passer of the ball" and welcomes his arrival.

Neil Warnock, manager of Sheffield United, also said he was looking forward to seeing him.

Tie's career at Merseyside was hampered by a broken leg that eventually had to be reset, but he has been training in China with the Chengdu Blades and recently appeared as a substitute in China's last two international matches.

Sheffield United believes Li's presence at United will arouse huge media interest from the Chinese media both at home and in England.
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(CRI July 26, 2006)