Back in 2019, for some reason Tianjin Quanjian changed its name to Tianjin Tianhai and started a relegation battle in the Chinese Super League. The following year, Tianjin Tianhai was dissolved and the players released their contracts to join other clubs as free agents.
To this day, what is the status of those players who had won the first victory for Tianjin Quanjian in the group stage of the AFC Champions League?
Former Tianjin Tianhai goalkeeper Zhang Lu, a free agent, was taken away for investigation in connection with Li Tie's case.In 2023, Sun Ke and Wang Yongpei bid farewell to Shenzhen and became free agents again. Mi Haolun, meanwhile, joined forces with Shaanxi Chang'an United to win championship glory last season. Zheng Dalun, on the other hand, campaigned in Shenzhen's Chinese Super League, but his future destination is unknown after the team was disbanded.
In 2023, Zhang Cheng played for Chinese Championship side Xi'an Ronghai, while Su Yuanjie debuted with Tianjin Jinmen Tigers FC. Dalian striker Yang Xu retired from Shenhua at the start of the year to devote himself to youth soccer training. Zhao Xuri, who played for Guangxi Pingguo in the Central League, is now a free agent, while Wuhan Sanzhen welcomed Liu Yiming into the fold.
Pato, a former AC Milan star, has just left Sao Paulo and is now a free agent. Belgian midfielder Witsel is playing for Atletico Madrid in La Liga, while French striker Modeste is showing his hand for his team in Cairo, Egypt. Kwon Kyung-won, on the other hand, has just left Japanese side Gamba Osaka and returned to South Korea, joining K-League side Suwon.
