Top 5 Most Expensive Domestic Signings in Chinese Super League History

The Chinese Super League has made headlines in recent years for its lavish spending on international players, but it’s not just foreign stars who have commanded eye-watering transfer fees. The late 2010s saw a surge in fees for domestic players as well, with several home-grown talents fetching significant sums.

Coming in at number five on the list of top domestic signings is Jin Yangyang, who made a €10.83 million move to Hebei in 2016. The Dalian-born center back played a key role in the team’s early years in the Chinese Super League before moving on to Shanghai Shenhua in 2021.

In fourth place is Zhao Mingjian, who joined Hebei in 2017 for €10.95 million. The versatile player, capable of slotting in defense or midfield, made 52 league appearances for Hebei before moving on to Dalian Yifang and eventually Shanghai Shenhua.

Tianjin Quanjian got in on the spending spree in 2017 with the signing of Wang Yongpo for €12.44 million. The experienced midfielder made an immediate impact, helping the team secure a third-place finish in his debut season before moving on to Shanghai Shenhua in 2019.

In second place is Zhao Yuhao, who joined Hebei in 2017 for a hefty fee of €17.8 million. Despite making 68 appearances for the club, Zhao struggled to solidify his spot in the starting lineup and eventually moved on to Henan in 2021.

Topping the list is Zhang Chengdong, who made a €20.44 million switch to Hebei in 2017. The winger proved to be a crucial player for the team, making 110 appearances and scoring nine goals before rejoining Beijing Guoan in 2022.

While these signings may have come at a time of excess spending in the Chinese Super League, the landscape has since changed. With new financial regulations in place, it’s unlikely that we’ll see transfer fees of this magnitude for domestic players again anytime soon. As clubs grapple with financial difficulties and the league undergoes changes, the era of astronomical domestic signings may be a thing of the past.

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Favian Ningrum

Hailing from Indonesia, Favian Ningrum is a passionate writer with a deep love for the AFC Champions League and an unyielding allegiance to Liverpool. Favian's articles seamlessly blend the thrill of continental competitions with his insights into the global footballing landscape. As an AFC aficionado and Liverpool fanatic, Favian's analysis goes beyond the surface, delving into the intricacies of tactics and the stories that unfold on and off the pitch.

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