Cangzhou Lions, after failing to meet the entry requirements announced by the Chinese Football Association, quickly declared that they would not be able to continue participating in professional league matches. As a result, all their players have become free agents. So where have the coaching staff and players who helped the team avoid relegation last season gone? Let's take a look.
Firstly, head coach Li Xiaopeng and assistant coach Hao Junmin have joined Qingdao Hainiu. Li Xiaopeng, a native of Qingdao, made a well-considered decision to return to his hometown team after much thought. He said, "My hometown team needs me, and I should not refuse under any circumstances. Since I've agreed to take over the team, I must keep my word and give it my all to achieve the best results within my capabilities."
Goalkeepers: Shao Puliang, Han Rongze
Shao Puliang, as the team captain on the field, played 21 games for Cangzhou Lions last season, making 79 saves. Currently, Shao Puliang is undergoing trials with Wuhan Three Towns and is expected to join the team. Although he is already 35 years old, he has rich experience and can mentor the young goalkeepers at Wuhan Three Towns. With the departure of national goalkeeper Liu Dianzuo, the goalkeepers Huang Zhouxin, Chen Xing, and Guo Jiayu at Wuhan Three Towns are all only 20 years old.
Han Rongze's target is Qingdao Hainiu. In the "summer window" of 2024, Han Rongze was loaned to Cangzhou Lions. Last season in the Chinese Super League, Han Rongze played 7 games for Cangzhou Lions, contributing 28 saves. Liu Zhenli, an old player from Shandong Taishan who played for Qingdao Hainiu last season, has officially retired and will serve as the goalkeeper coach for Qingdao Hainiu in the new season. If Han Rongze transfers to Qingdao Hainiu, it will enhance the depth of Qingdao Hainiu in the goalkeeper position.
Defenders: Zheng Kaimu, Sun Mingqian, Wang Peng, Zheng Dalun
Zheng Kaimu, after regaining his free agent status, quickly joined Wuhan Three Towns. After all, joining his hometown team as a native of Huangshi, Hubei is also a kind of destination. Last season, Zheng Kaimu played 25 times for the team, serving as the defensive core and showing stable form, even scoring one goal. Zheng Kaimu once made a spectacular save as a substitute goalkeeper in a match against Nantong Zhuyun.
Sun Mingqian, a left-back from Hong Kong, China, joined Tianjin Jinmen Tiger after leaving the team, becoming the first Hong Kong player in Tianjin's history. Sun Mingqian is currently 24 years old and played for Cangzhou Lions in the Chinese Super League last season. In a match against Henan last year, Sun Mingqian broke through from the left flank and cut inside, dribbling past Huang Ruizheng and He Guan before shooting with his right foot. The ball hit the crossbar and bounced back, with Niuziyi unable to react in time, resulting in an own goal.
Zheng Dalun officially joined Henan Jiuzu Du Kang. Born in Anshan, Liaoning in 1994 and standing at 1.70 meters tall, he plays as a fullback or wingback; he comes from Shanghai Chongming Genbao Youth Training and entered the Shanghai East Asia first team in 2013, having been selected for the U14 and U16 national youth teams. He became a mainstay after moving to Tianjin Quanjian in 2015 and joined Shenzhen Jiameiye in 2020; last season, he played 29 times for Cangzhou Lions, contributing 4 assists.
Midfielders: Mo Xuchen, Zhao Yingjie, Sun Qinhan
Mo Xuchen is currently on trial with Jinmen Tiger. Last season, he played 19 times and scored one goal. The 25-year-old Mo Xu is from Baoding, Hebei, left-footed, and capable of playing on both flanks. He went abroad to Serbia early in his career and has played in the Serbian Super League. He is also a member of the national team for the '99 age group, and Yang Keqi brought him to the East Asian Cup, although he did not play. He scored his first goal in the Chinese Super League as early as 2021 when he was playing for Hebei China Fortune.
Forwards: Liu Xinyu
Liu Xinyu, a native of Shijiazhuang, was also a key player in Cangzhou Lions' relegation battle last season, often scoring crucial goals at critical moments. After Oscar's departure, Li Xiaopeng often pushed him up to the center forward position, and Liu Xinyu lived up to expectations, scoring three goals.
Both Hunan Xiangtiao and Cangzhou Lions, the teams Liu Xinyu played for in his career, have disbanded this season, and it is estimated that they owe him a considerable amount of wages. There is no news yet about Liu Xinyu's future.
Due to limitations in length and ability, we welcome fans to supplement information on the whereabouts of other players.