Back in 2019, due to a well-known change of heart, Tianjin Quanjian changed its name to Tianjin Tianhai and joined the relegation battle in the Chinese Super League. However, by 2020, Tianjin Tianhai had no choice but to disband and the players went their separate ways, joining other teams as free agents.
Six years have gone by in a flash. So where are the players who won the first AFC Champions League group stage win for Tianjin Quanjian now?
Zhang Lu, a free agent, is under investigation for his involvement in the Li Tie case. Entering 2023, Sun Ke and Wang Yongper bid farewell to Shenzhen and became free agents again. And Mi Haolun joined forces with Shaanxi Chang'an United to win championship glory last season. Meanwhile, Zheng Dalun fought his way through the Shenzhen Chinese Super League, with his destination unclear after the team was disbanded.
Zhang Cheng moved to Chinese Championship side Xi'an Ronghai in 2023, while Su Yuanjie stayed on to play for Tianjin Jinmen Tigers. Yang Xu retired from Shenhua at the beginning of 2023 to devote himself to youth soccer training.
Zhao Xuri, who used to play for Chinese League One side Guangxi Pingguo, is now a free agent as well. Liu Yiming is currently playing for Chinese Super League side Wuhan Sanzhen. As for former AC Milan star Pato, he just left Sao Paulo and is a free agent again.
Belgian midfielder Witsel is continuing his career with La Liga side Atletico Madrid, while French striker Modeste is playing for Egyptian side Cairo. Kwon Kyung-won, on the other hand, has just left Japanese side Gamba Osaka to return to South Korea and join K-League side Suwon.
