Guangzhou Leopards prepare for 2026 with new additions including Tuo Duolie and Liao Junjian

Reporter Wang Wei reports On January 16, Guangzhou Leopards confirmed that players Xia Dalong, Shang Yin, Carlos, Rosa, Wu Xingyu, Shan Pengfei, Liu Ziheng, and Chen Zhao have left the club. Meanwhile, last season’s Chinese Super League players Liao Junjian and Tuo Duolie, as well as longtime CSL competitors Gao Huaze and Zhang Wei, have recently joined the team, which is steadily upgrading its roster for the 2026 campaign to fight for promotion.

Besides players Xia Dalong, Shang Yin, Carlos, Rosa, Wu Xingyu, Shan Pengfei, Liu Ziheng, and Chen Zhao, last season’s assistant coach Yan Feng, fitness coach Roberto, and rehabilitation specialist Carlos have also departed. Yan Feng has already taken the head coach position at Yatai, Xia Dalong joined Xin Pengcheng, and Shang Yin moved to Shenzhen Youth.

Xia Dalong, Carlos, and Rosa were key attackers for Guangzhou Leopards last season, scoring the majority of the team’s goals. Their departures indicate significant changes in the team’s offensive lineup.

Among the three foreign players from last season, only Nikon remains under contract with Guangzhou Leopards. This season, the club plans to recruit two new foreign players. Recently, forward Tuo Duolie, who played for San Zhen last season, joined the training squad. The 29-year-old Romanian stands 1.90 meters tall and appeared 26 times for San Zhen, starting 23 matches. He scored 10 goals in the CSL, including 3 headers. Tuo Duolie is known for his well-rounded skills, making his 10-goal tally quite impressive.

Regarding domestic players, Gao Huaze and Zhang Wei, who have CSL experience from previous years, have also joined Guangzhou Leopards’ training group. Zhang Wei has played for Hebei and Shenhua, and last summer was loaned to China League One side Guangxi Pingguo, scoring 2 goals. Gao Huaze started at Greentown, has played for Hebei and Tianjin Tigers, was selected for the Olympic team, and last season appeared 29 times for Shijiazhuang Kungfu in China League One, scoring 4 goals and providing 3 assists.

In defense, Liao Junjian returns to Guangzhou after 12 years, having played for multiple CSL clubs over the years. A former national team member, he has settled in Guangzhou. His career includes stints at Dongguan Nancheng and Rizhiquan, moving to Hebei in 2014, and later playing for Wuhan Zall and Meizhou in the CSL. Last season, as captain, Liao Junjian made 28 appearances for Meizhou, contributing 1 goal and 1 assist.

Currently, it is highly likely that Liao Junjian, Tuo Duolie, Gao Huaze, and Zhang Wei will join the team. Since departing players Wu Xingyu, Shang Yin, and Shan Pengfei were all wing players, reinforcements are needed in those positions. Additionally, besides Nikon and Tuo Duolie, Guangzhou Leopards aim to sign another attacking foreign player and already have preliminary targets.

At present, several players are undergoing trials with Guangzhou Leopards, including left-back Li Zhi, who played for Xin Pengcheng last season; midfielder Zhang Yudong; Liu Bin from Henan; and Liu Langzhou, who has experience with Guangzhou FC, West Coast, and Liaoning Ironmen.