Switching to the Turkish Super League! Yang Lina embarks on another overseas journey to prepare for the Asian Cup.

Reported by Wang Wei On February 3rd, Turkish club Galatasaray confirmed the addition of Chinese female footballer Yang Lina to their squad. This is Yang Lina’s fourth time playing overseas. Her first three overseas periods were brief. In April last year, she went back to Shanghai Women’s Football Club to get ready for the National Games. With this fourth overseas move, she pursues her ambitions while aiming for an opportunity to return to the Chinese national team.

Yang Lina’s first overseas experience was in the 2022-23 season when she joined French Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain Women on loan, originally set to last until June 2023. However, after only half a season and two appearances, she ended the loan early and transferred to Spanish club Levante Las Planas Women. During her time in Spain, her playing time increased, but after half a season, she ended that loan as well and returned to China to represent Shanghai Women’s Football Club in the Women’s Super League.

In September 2024, Yang Lina began her third overseas spell by signing with Italian club Lazio Women. Compared to her previous two stays, this one lasted longer as she completed a full season with the team until the season ended in April 2025. After returning from the Italian league, Yang Lina represented Shanghai in the 15th National Games. Some time after the event, she once again considered going abroad.

Born in 1994, Yang Lina will turn 32 this year. She is undoubtedly one of the evergreen players in Chinese women’s football. Previously, she was a key defensive midfielder for the Chinese national team. However, after Australian coach Milicic took over as head coach, her call-ups became less frequent. Her last appearance in the national team was in October 2024, followed by several missed training camps. When the Chinese women’s team began preparations for the Women’s Asian Cup at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base in January this year, Yang Lina was not selected.

Although she has not been called up to the Chinese national team for over a year, Yang Lina has always fought hard to earn opportunities. This overseas move is also aimed at maintaining her best form in a more competitive environment and striving to continue serving her country. Yang Lina stated, “I hope to keep chasing my dreams throughout the limited years of my football career. If the national team needs me, I will always be ready to contribute to the development of Chinese women’s football.”

The Galatasaray Women’s team Yang Lina joined is one of the top clubs in Turkey, currently leading the Turkish Women’s Football League with a record of 15 wins and 2 losses. Yang Lina is not the first Chinese player to represent Galatasaray Women. In January 2023, another Chinese national team player, Li Jiayue, joined the club and played for half a season. In the 2024-25 season, Galatasaray Women qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage for the first time in club history.