Auxerre have completed the signing of 18-year-old forward Xiangxin Wei from Meizhou Hakka, the Ligue 1 club announced. Wei has signed a five-year contract with the Burgundy-based side, arriving as the club continues to build ties with Chinese football.
The move comes as Auxerre, owned by billionaire James Zhou, has been actively forging partnerships with clubs and football federations in China for the past decade. Wei has already made 17 appearances in the Chinese Super League with Meizhou Hakka, scoring one goal. He was expected to join the team for a pre-season integration weekend.
Wei will become only the second Chinese player to feature in Ligue 1, following Jinyu Li who played for Nancy during the 1998-1999 season. Li made six appearances and played 173 minutes for Nancy. The signing represents a significant moment for Chinese representation in one of Europe’s top leagues.
The forward’s arrival provides Auxerre with another attacking option as they prepare for the upcoming Ligue 1 campaign. The club will hope Wei’s youthful energy and potential can contribute to their goals for the season. This transfer could also open doors for further collaboration between Auxerre and Chinese footballing institutions, strengthening the club’s presence in the Asian market.
