Lin's Official Debut at Etihad Stadium!

After announcing the time for Lin's public debut, Manchester City also declared that all fans could attend the ceremony at Etihad Stadium for free.

At the same time, the Manchester City store started reserving space for Lin's No. 10 jersey. On the day of his official debut, the No. 10 jersey he would wear would be available for sale.

However, the No. 10 jersey currently belonged to Bosnian striker Edin Džeko. To give the jersey to Lin, Džeko would have to give up his number.

Thus, Manchester City's chairman, Al Mubarak, sent someone to Džeko's agent, Irfan Redžepagić, to inform him of this decision.

"This is impossible. Džeko is Manchester City's top scorer. He deserves to be the team's core and wear the No. 10 jersey. He won't give it up!" Redžepagić reacted strongly, unwilling to let his player lose the symbolic core number.

If Džeko gave up the No. 10 jersey, it would mean that the team's top star was no longer him but the newcomer, Lin.

"Mr. Redžepagić, please mind your tone. I am informing you of the club's decision, not negotiating," Al Mubarak said firmly. He didn't want to fall out with key players like Džeko, who had contributed significantly to the team. However, the boss, Sheikh Mansour, had clearly instructed that the No. 10 jersey must go to Lin.

Al Mubarak couldn't disobey Mansour's orders, so he hoped Džeko and his agent would be sensible.

"Mr. Chairman, is this how Manchester City treats its veteran players?" Realizing the decision couldn't be changed, Redžepagić tried to appeal to sentiment, hoping for some compensation to ease the situation for Džeko.

"We have always been generous to players who have made significant contributions to the club. Džeko was a key player in our 2011-12 championship win. The club won't disappoint him." Al Mubarak took out a new contract from the drawer and placed it in front of Redžepagić. "This is the renewal contract we've prepared for Džeko. Please take a look."

Redžepagić glanced at the contract and was immediately attracted by the salary figure. Manchester City offered Džeko a net salary of 6 million euros!

This was top-tier salary in European football!

Though Džeko was a good player, he wasn't top-tier. Last season, he played 46 games for Manchester City, scoring 16 goals—14 in the league, one in the Champions League, and one in the Community Shield.

These stats weren't top striker level in the five major leagues, and many players were better. With Manchester City's abundance of forwards, the club offering him a 6 million euro net salary was indeed a significant favor.

Redžepagić had many complaints initially, but seeing the contract figure, he fell silent.

"I need to discuss this with my player. You know, Džeko is very attached to the No. 10 jersey, so I need to do a lot of convincing," Redžepagić said.

"I understand. The club won't forget your contribution," Al Mubarak assured him, promising a bonus as compensation for Redžepagić after the renewal.

With this promise, Redžepagić left happily with the new contract. However, his happiness was short-lived when Džeko made a firm decision.

"Submit a transfer request to the club. I don't want to stay at a club that takes my jersey number away!" Džeko said.

"Edin, are you sure about this? You won't get such a high salary elsewhere!" Redžepagić was worried.

"I'm sure. At Manchester City, I already have to compete with Tevez and Agüero. Now Lin has joined. How much playing time do you think I'll get next season?" Džeko's decision wasn't made in haste but after careful consideration.

Manchester City was wealthy and bought many players every transfer window. This summer, they bought three forwards—Negredo for 25 million euros, Jovetić for 26 million euros, and Lin, who came for free but with superstar status.

With such fierce competition, Džeko felt he would be marginalized if he lost his No. 10 jersey, which symbolized being the core player.

Džeko was a proud player and didn't like anyone stepping over him. Since Manchester City wanted to take his jersey number, he wouldn't stay.

Džeko's analysis made sense, which worried Redžepagić even more. Remembering Al Mubarak's promise, he tried to persuade Džeko.

"You are the top scorer on the team. Besides Lin, no one else threatens you! Lin can play as a winger or attacking midfielder and may not compete for the center-forward position. If you stay at Manchester City, the main center-forward position is still yours!"

"No, he took my jersey number. I don't want to play on the same team as him!" Džeko's decision was final.

Redžepagić had no choice but to report this outcome to Al Mubarak, who decided with a stoic face.

"Then contact other clubs and arrange his transfer."

Before Lin joined the team, Al Mubarak would have been desperate if Džeko wanted to leave, possibly even visiting personally to persuade him to stay. But now, with Lin, Al Mubarak was more confident.

Whether Džeko stayed or left didn't matter anymore.

Redžepagić, understanding Džeko's diminished status in the team, had no time to argue with Al Mubarak. He needed to find Džeko a new club before the summer transfer window closed. Otherwise, if Džeko's transfer failed, his situation at Manchester City would be awkward.

Fortunately, Džeko wasn't an unwanted player. Once listed, several clubs showed interest. Arsenal and Roma were the most sincere.

Arsenal, lacking a good forward, offered 18 million pounds, while Roma offered 20 million euros.

Although both offers were similar, Manchester City didn't want Džeko to stay in the Premier League and accepted Roma's offer, selling Džeko to Roma.

With Džeko gone, the No. 10 jersey became available.

On July 28, at 8:30 AM, Lin arrived at the club's designated hospital for his medical examination. Thousands of fans had already gathered outside the hospital, eager to see their superstar.

As Lin, dressed in white casual wear, appeared at the hospital entrance, the crowd went wild.

"Wow, Lin is so handsome!"

"Lin! I'm your fan! Please sign an autograph!"

"Lin, our whole family loves watching you play. Can we take a photo with you?"

Countless fans shouted Lin's name and rushed towards him.

The security personnel, responsible for maintaining order, were startled. They had received notice of a star player's medical examination but were unprepared for the massive turnout.

Seeing thousands of fans when they arrived in the morning, the security personnel were stunned.

Facing over five thousand fans, their team of twenty or thirty was inadequate, so they called for backup.

By the time Lin arrived, security personnel had increased tenfold, to over two hundred. Even then, handling the crowd was a challenge.

Who is this guy?

How is he so popular?

The last time Manchester saw such a popular player was the guy wearing Manchester United's No. 7 jersey. Now, Lin's popularity rivaled Ronaldo's.

"Hello, everyone. Please cooperate with the security personnel and avoid pushing to prevent stampedes that could endanger lives," Lin addressed the fans using a loudspeaker.

Hearing his words, the fans became even more excited.

"Uh..." Lin was speechless.

Then he had an idea.

"If you all maintain order, after my medical examination, I will sign autographs and take photos with you if there's time."

This worked. The promise of photos and autographs calmed the fans, and they started behaving.

The security personnel sighed in relief, amazed by Lin's influence.

This guy, how is he so respected by the fans?

He hadn't even undergone his medical examination or completed his signing, yet the fans listened to him.

Who is this guy?

Some security personnel weren't football fans and didn't know much about Lin's transfer. However, after today, many developed a strong interest in Lin and searched for him online. Watching his Bundesliga and Confederations Cup highlights, some even became his fans.

Escorted by security, Lin entered the hospital. Manchester City's medical team was waiting, and under their supervision, Lin underwent a thorough examination.

The tests included routine blood and urine analysis, ECG, ultrasound, cardiopulmonary function tests, and muscle nerve tests. Additionally, he underwent a comprehensive MRI to check for any hidden injuries from previous games.

For clubs, buying a player with injuries that prevented him from playing would mean wasted transfer fees. Therefore, health checks were stringent.

Lin's health indicators were fine, with no significant injuries, so the results were normal.

The medical team, reassured by the results, relaxed.

"Lin, you just need to go to Etihad Stadium and sign with the team officially, and you'll be part of Manchester City!" Al Mubarak said happily after receiving the results.

"Thank you all for your hard work," Lin thanked the hospital staff and took photos with them.

After leaving the hospital, Lin kept his promise, spending half an hour signing autographs and taking photos with some fans before heading to Etihad Stadium in the club's car.

Seeing the crowd at the hospital was impressive, but arriving at Etihad Stadium, Lin saw what real popularity meant.

The stadium

 was packed inside and surrounded by fans outside.

Without even entering, Lin knew the stadium was full. With so many people outside, the inside had to be packed.

He was amazed by his popularity among Manchester City fans.

Wait, are those Chinese fans wearing Manchester City jerseys?

Did they come specifically to see me?

Lin spotted the Chinese fans as they noticed him.

"Wow, it's Lin!"

"Is there any fake Lin? Stop kidding and shout with me!"

"Three, two, one!"

"Lin, we are your fans! We support you forever!"

They shouted in Mandarin, which only Lin understood. Hearing them, Lin smiled.

Having such fans is wonderful!

He stopped and waved at them, but didn't approach to avoid causing a commotion. However, he remembered their faces, planning to greet them if he saw them in Manchester later.

Seeing Lin wave, the Chinese fans were ecstatic.

"Lin noticed us!"

"He waved at us!"

"Too bad we forgot our banner!"

Inside the club, Sheikh Mansour and Al Mubarak awaited Lin in the chairman's box.

Seeing Lin, Mansour eagerly shook his hand.

"You finally came!"

Although confident of Lin's arrival, Mansour felt nervous waiting, fearing last-minute complications would waste all efforts. But no unexpected events occurred; Lin arrived at Etihad Stadium on time.

After greeting Mansour and Al Mubarak, Lin signed the prepared contract, officially joining Manchester City.

Mansour was thrilled, feeling his dream had come true.

As customary, after signing, Mansour presented Lin with club-branded souvenirs like a pen, watch, and a model of Etihad Stadium.

Al Mubarak handed Lin a blue jersey with the number 10, symbolizing the core of Manchester City.

Holding the jersey, Lin showcased it to the reporters.

"Let's go greet the fans!" Mansour patted Lin's back with a smile.

Nodding, Lin changed into his jersey and gear in the locker room, then entered Etihad Stadium with Mansour and others.

Due to free admission, Etihad Stadium was packed. Over fifty thousand fans filled the stadium to witness this historic moment.

As Lin stepped onto the field, the crowd erupted in applause.

Manchester City fans chanted Lin's name, waved banners, and greeted their king with the loudest applause and cheers.

Manchester City fans had waited a long time for this moment.