2006-07 Chengdu Blades Home Shirt - 8/10

This striking red home shirt by Umbro marks a unique chapter in Chinese football history. Featuring clean white trim and classic Umbro styling, the shirt reflects the club’s bold rebrand as Chengdu Blades in 2005, following their takeover by the owners of Sheffield United. The “Blades” identity, colour scheme, and imagery were deliberate nods to the English club, making this one of the most distinctive cross-cultural shirts of the 2000s. 

On the pitch, this kit became part of the club’s greatest achievement. Wearing this shirt, Chengdu earned promotion to the Chinese Super League in 2007, completing a remarkable rise to the top tier. It represents ambition, global influence, and a rare moment where English ownership left a permanent visual stamp on Chinese football. For collectors, it’s a standout piece from a brief but fascinating era in the game’s global expansion.