Taking a crucial step in the shareholding reform + strengthening both offense and defense! Preparing for the Chinese Super League, the Ironmen unleash full firepower

Special contributor/Shen Jun With the 2026 Chinese Super League season drawing near, the newly promoted Liaoning Ironmen Football Club has been making frequent moves to strengthen its roster. On January 11, the club forged strategic partnerships with Shengjing Department Store and Hailiang Group, officially announcing the signing of Brazilian Serie A winger He Fei Niao and Swedish national team player Vajic, thus completing vital squad reinforcements. This professional reform and major recruitment move demonstrate Liaoning Ironmen’s ambition to establish themselves firmly in the CSL and fight hard.

The strategic cooperation between Liaoning Ironmen Football Club, Shengjing Department Store, and Hailiang Group marks a key milestone in the “membership + mixed ownership” reform of professional football in Liaoning, representing a mutual commitment between the city and enterprises.

At the signing ceremony, Liaoning Ironmen Football Club’s general manager and head coach Li Jinyu expressed hope that this beneficial attempt at mixed ownership reform would provide a replicable and referable “Liaoning model” for state-owned and private enterprises to participate in professional sports and promote the integration of sports and commerce.

This signing represents another major step for Liaoning Ironmen Football Club following its 2026 CSL title sponsorship deal with Xinglin Group’s Liaoning Nanbowan Plastic Surgery Hospital, signaling a new phase in the club’s reform and laying a solid foundation for the team’s campaign in the upcoming CSL season.

During the strategic cooperation signing ceremony, Liaoning Ironmen also officially announced the arrival of four new players — Brazilian winger He Fei Niao valued at €4.5 million, Swedish international center-back Vajic valued at €2.5 million, along with experienced domestic players Yan Dinghao and Zhang Yan who have played in the CSL for several years.

As the most high-profile foreign signing so far, 26-year-old He Fei Niao was trained in Brazil’s Gremio youth system and once transferred to Ligue 1 powerhouse Lyon for €10 million, gaining valuable experience in Europe’s top five leagues. Despite injury setbacks over the past two seasons, he appeared 26 times in the 2025 Brazilian Serie A for Botafogo, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists. He Fei Niao excels at dribbling and cutting inside, delivers quality crosses, boasts an 85% passing accuracy, and can play both left and right wing, making him a versatile forward. His €4.5 million valuation makes him the most valuable player among all CSL teams for the new season.

If He Fei Niao is the “sharp spear” in attack, then 25-year-old Swedish international Vajic is the “anchor” in defense. Standing 1.88 meters tall, this Nordic center-back joined Swedish Allsvenskan club Hammarby in 2022, making 81 appearances and helping the team win two league titles. His outstanding performances earned him a spot on the Swedish national team. As the highest-valued defender in the upcoming CSL season, Vajic possesses excellent height and aerial ability, precise interception skills, and calm ball control in defense. Remarkably, he can also play as a defensive midfielder, providing the coach with tactical flexibility.

Among domestic players, 27-year-old Yan Dinghao is considered a CSL veteran, having played for Guangzhou, Wuhan Three Towns, and Chengdu Rongcheng, contributing 2 goals and 1 assist in 24 appearances during the 2025 CSL season. Goalkeeper Zhang Yan, aged 28, formerly with Beijing Guoan and Jiangsu Suning, joins to compete with Han Rongze, strengthening the team’s goalkeeping depth.

Regarding the continuous recruitment of strong players, Li Jinyu admitted that Liaoning Ironmen began scouting domestic and foreign talents immediately after the 2025 China League One season ended, and after prolonged observation and negotiations, finalized their transfer list. “For a newly promoted CSL team, attracting a player like He Fei Niao is a great honor for us.”

When asked about the high investment in signing star foreign players, Li Jinyu clearly stated that the club always adheres to a rational approach in recruitment. “While respecting fans’ desire for better players, we also value every penny from our investors. A high market value does not necessarily mean high spending; our signings are entirely based on tactical needs and cost-effectiveness.”

Regarding further foreign reinforcements, Li Jinyu revealed, “We are still considering options for the attacking midfielder position, with over a dozen players currently under evaluation.”