Liu Yang 刘洋

Liu Yang (Chinese: 刘洋; pinyin: Liu Yang; born 17 June 1995) is a Chinese footballer who currently plays for Shandong Luneng in the Chinese Super League.

Club Career

In 2010, Liu joined Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng Taishan's youth academy, where he swifted his position from forward to central-back. He was sent to Portugal for further training in 2014. He joined Campeonato de Portugal side Sintrense in the summer of 2014. On 12 October 2014, he made his senior debut in a 2–1 away win against Sacavenense, coming on as a substitute for Romario in the 72nd minute. Liu moved to another Campeonato de Portugal club Cova da Piedade on 1 February 2015. He made his debut for Cova da Piedade on 24 May 2015 in a 3–1 away win over Sacavenense. Liu played six match for the club in the 2015–16 season as Cova da Piedade finish the first place of the league and won promotion to the second tier.

Liu returned to Shandong Luneng and was promoted to the first team squad by manager Felix Magath in July 2016. He played as a left-back under Magath. On 22 October 2016, he made his debut for Shandong in a 4–1 away defeat against Shanghai SIPG, coming on for Song Long in the 70th minute. In the 2018 season, Liu mainly played as a left midfielder under manager Li Xiaopeng. On 25 September 2018, he scored his first senior goal in a 3–0 home win against Dalian Yifang in the 2018 Chinese FA Cup semi-finals. He scored his first league goal against Changchun Yatai on 2 November 2018, which ensured Shandong's 2–0 victory and sealed a seat for 2019 AFC Champions League. In January 2019, Liu extended his contract with the club until the end of the 2023 season.