One young national player each year, Shanghai Port steadily advancing its squad renewal

Reporter Cheng Shan reports On February 5, Shanghai Port Football Club and Qingdao West Coast Club jointly announced that U23 national team player Yang Xi officially joined Shanghai Port. The transfer fee is comparable to the highest domestic transfer in this season’s CSL winter window and was settled after intense bargaining. Following the gradual rise of 21-year-old Wumiti Jiang into a key team player with national team-level ability, the 20-year-old future national team right-back is expected to bring his dual honors as the CSL’s interception king and a key member of the U23 Asian Cup runner-up to fill the crucial gap on Shanghai Port’s right defensive flank, injecting new strength into the reigning champions’ multi-front campaign.

Yang Xi’s football foundation and professional training were entirely completed within the youth system of La Liga’s Espanyol, where he received systematic European tactical and technical development. This has endowed him with defensive positioning and tactical understanding far beyond that of his domestic peers in the same position. Initially, Yang Xi aspired to establish himself in Spanish football and break into La Liga, but due to personal injuries and other factors, he gradually fell behind in Espanyol’s youth ranks. At the start of 2025, Yang chose to return to China, joining Shao Jiayi’s Qingdao West Coast team, thus beginning his Chinese Super League career.

No one expected that this “returnee” young defender would deliver such an impressive debut season in the CSL: In the 2025 season, Yang Xi played 21 league matches for Qingdao West Coast, showcasing solid defensive skills and abundant stamina, achieving an outstanding 106 successful tackles, unquestionably earning the CSL “interception king” title. His average of 5.1 tackles per game set a new CSL record since official statistics began in 2012. Additionally, he contributed 3.1 interceptions per match on average, ranking among the most defensively efficient fullbacks in the league.

Although Yang Xi has yet to make a breakthrough offensively, his exceptional anticipation, precise positioning awareness, and fearless playing style have established him as a standout among the CSL’s new generation of defenders. The 2026 U23 Asian Cup further validated his abilities nationwide, as he represented China as the starting right-back in five matches, contributing 17 interceptions and demonstrating a strong presence on both offensive and defensive flanks.

In fact, Yang Xi’s transfer was one of the most closely watched moves in the 2026 CSL winter window. According to insiders, Shanghai Port targeted Yang Xi much earlier than public rumors suggested. Under the fast-attack-focused coach Muscat, Shanghai Port indeed needed a versatile player like Yang Xi. During last season’s league, Muscat had already formed a deep impression of the player.

For Shanghai Port, having achieved a CSL three-peat, signing Yang Xi represents a highly targeted tactical reinforcement and a crucial step in the team’s generational transition. In recent years, veteran Wang Shenchao, now 36, has gradually approached the end of his career. Although his experience supports the right defensive flank, he struggles to cope with the intense schedule of competing on multiple fronts. The succession issue for Shanghai Port’s right-back position is urgent.

Yang Xi’s technical traits perfectly align with the high-press possession system promoted by Shanghai Port’s head coach. He excels at high pressing, able to disrupt opponents’ attacks early, and possesses rapid transition capabilities. His abundant stamina supports extensive shuttle runs along the flank, enabling him to maintain solid defense while participating actively in counterattacks, making him an ideal fit for Shanghai Port’s tactical needs. Previously, the right-back defense overly relied on Wang Shenchao, and the backup players lacked strength. Yang Xi’s arrival will decisively fix this weakness and inject youthful energy into the team’s defense.

Notably, Shanghai Port has completed six key signings in the 2026 winter window so far, with newcomers Claude, An Yongjia, Zhang Yuan, Yue Xin, and Lu Yongtao having already joined the squad.

Along with existing young players such as Li Xinxiang, Kuai Jiwen, and Wumiti Jiang, Shanghai Port is accelerating its squad youth renewal through precise recruitment, building a lineup combining strength and vitality. With last year’s key signing Wumiti Jiang having become a defensive cornerstone, Yang Xi’s integration into the main squad is expected soon. Clearly, Shanghai Port is steadily assembling its new generation of core players.

Of course, such a young and highly capable player attracted attention from other clubs besides Shanghai Port. The negotiation process involved multiple rounds of bargaining. As early as November 2025, Shanghai Port had initiated contact with Qingdao West Coast, and both sides initially agreed on Yang Xi’s transfer. However, due to third-party rights related to Yang’s time in Spain, negotiations stalled in early December last year. It was only after Shanghai Port sent representatives to Spain to coordinate and resolve these issues that the transfer talks resumed.

As Yang Xi continued to shine at the U23 Asian Cup, several CSL clubs extended offers, intensifying the transfer battle. With transfer fees and personal terms roughly equal, the player’s own preference became decisive. Considering the city and club development, Yang ultimately chose Shanghai Port.

Although Yang Xi’s exact transfer fee has not been publicly disclosed, industry sources and the current CSL winter transfer market indicate that it ranks as a top domestic fee. It not only marks Shanghai Port’s highest winter investment in a domestic player this season but also reflects the club’s determination to renew its squad.