In 2013, Qi Tianyu studied in Europe and joined the Portuguese Super League Casa Pia competition. After one season, Qi Tianyu returned to Shandong Taishan and began playing in the Chinese Super League. Although Taishan played for 10 years, Qi Tianyu never gained a firm foothold in the team. after 10 seasons, he had only played 44 Super League matches for Taishan.
Last season, Qi Tianyu was loaned by Taishan FC to Chinese First Division side Jinan Xingzhou. Qi Tianyu delivered 4 assists after playing 11 games for the team and had a very good overall performance.
At the end of last season, Qi Tianyu returned to Taishan along with Wu Xinghan and other players who had been loaned out. Wu Xinghan was selected for the AFC Champions League, but Qi Tianyu was once again dropped by Choi Kang-hee. Missing out on the AFC Champions League and the vacancy of the No. 15 jersey suggests that Qi Tianyu's hopes of continuing to play for Taishan in the new season have become even slimmer.
It is reported that Taishan will not enroll Qi Tianyu in the Chinese Super League, and will either rent Qi Tianyu out next season or cancel his contract directly so that Qi Tianyu can be free to join other teams. Although Qi Tianyu can not be reused in Taishan, but his ability and form can still be the main rotation of the lower reaches of the Super League.
Qi Tianyu is from Dengzhou, Henan Province. Currently Henan Songshan Dragon Gate team is also recruiting Henan players. Perhaps it would be a more appropriate choice for Qi Tianyu to return to Henan and join the Songshan Dragons. As for whether Qi Tianyu can join the Henan team smoothly, it depends on whether Shandong Taishan is willing to do a smooth favor and let Qi Tianyu leave the team in advance...
