U23 National Team Star He Yiran Snapped Up, Shandong Taishan Secures Signing, Outshining Liao Ning Ironmen, Transfer Fee Below 20 Million

Thanks to his outstanding performance in the U23 Asian Cup, several U23 national team players became hot commodities during the Chinese Super League winter transfer window. On January 27, prominent journalist Miao Yuan revealed that CSL powerhouse Shandong Taishan has reached an agreement with Changchun Yatai to sign 20-year-old national team defender He Yiran, with only final formalities remaining.

Although newly promoted Liao Ning Ironmen were also keen to acquire He Yiran and promised him a starting role, Shandong Taishan’s transfer budget and salary offer proved more attractive. According to Miao Yuan, the transfer fee will be substantial but below the rumored 20 million RMB, which still represents a significant windfall for Yatai, recently relegated to China League One.

Born on February 17, 2005, He Yiran is a defender who rose through Yatai’s youth academy and joined the first team in 2022, making his Chinese Super League debut. Last season, he played 24 CSL matches and 1 FA Cup game, totaling 1,804 minutes on the field.

At the recently concluded U23 Asian Cup, He Yiran earned the trust of coach Antonio. With captain Liu Haofan sidelined due to injury, He Yiran became a core player in the U23 national team’s three-center-back system, playing all three group stage matches and the quarterfinal clash against Uzbekistan, where he made key clearances and impressed with his composure and defensive ability.