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Park Ji-sung returns to Manchester United as ambassador alongside Alex Ferguson

October 5, 2014
Manchester United former player Park Ji-sung, left, shakes hands with former manager Alex Ferguson as the former is introduced as a new ambassador for the club before the team's English Premier League soccer match against Everton at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Sunday Oct. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Manchester United former player Park Ji-sung, left, shakes hands with former manager Alex Ferguson as the former is introduced as a new ambassador for the club before the team’s English Premier League soccer match against Everton at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Sunday Oct. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Park Ji-sung returned to the Old Trafford pitch on Sunday to mark the start of his new role as a Manchester United ambassador, alongside former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The trailblazing South Korean midfielder won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup and three League Cups between 2005 and 2012 at United.

The 33-year-old Park, who retired in May, is only the sixth ambassador for the club – joining Sir Bobby Charlton, Andrew Cole, Ferguson, Denis Law and Bryan Robson.

“I have fond memories of my time at Manchester United and I am delighted and honored to have become an ambassador for the club,” Park said in a statement. “Some of the best moments of my life and career were spent here and I will never forget the great support I had from the club and the fans. I am looking forward to once again representing United and sharing some of these memories with our global fan base.”

With United amassing sponsors globally, Park will be key to satisfying their demands for promotional events. As well as sponsorship events, United says he will carry out community and coaching work.

United managing director Richard Arnold says Park’s return “demonstrates the club’s ability to not only attract some of the best talent in the world, but retain it even after the players have retired.”

Park briefly played for Queens Park Rangers after leaving United before finishing his career at PSV Eindhoven, the Dutch team that brought him to Europe in 2003.

Manchester United defeated Everton 2-1 on this day.

The trailblazing South Korean midfielder won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup and three League Cups between 2005 and 2012 at United. (AP)

The trailblazing South Korean midfielder won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup and three League Cups between 2005 and 2012 at United. (AP)

AP materials were used in this report.