Gu Cao

Not to be confused with Gu Chao.

Gu Cao (Chinese: 顾操; born 31 May 1988 in Shanghai) is a Chinese former footballer who played as a centre-back for Henan FC.

Gu Cao
顾操

Personal information
Full name	Gu Cao
Date of birth	(1988-05-31) 31 May 1988 (age 37)
Place of birth	Shanghai, China
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2007	Shanghai Shenhua	0	(0)
2008–2024	Henan FC	275	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18 June 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 June 2025

In this Chinese name, the family name is Gu.

Club career

Gu Cao started his football career with Shanghai Shenhua in the 2006 season.^[1] In February 2008, Gu transferred to fellow Chinese Super League side Henan Jianye (now known as Henan FC) after not getting any playing time while at Shanghai.^[2] He would eventually make his league debut for the club on 7 September 2008 against Changsha Ginde.^[3] After not playing much for Henan for several seasons as the club was relegated in the 2012 season, Gu cemented his place as one of the team's starting defenders in the 2013 season as the club won the second tier league title and was subsequently promoted to the top flight.

On 18 June 2025, Gu announced his retirement for professional football.^[4]

Career statistics

Statistics accurate as of match played 31 December 2022.^[5]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Shanghai Shenhua	2006	Chinese Super League	0	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
	2007		0	0	–		0	0	–		0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Henan Jianye/ Henan FC	2008	Chinese Super League	16	0	–		–		–		16	0
	2009		0	0	–		–		–		0	0
	2010		10	0	–		0	0	–		10	0
	2011		9	0	2	0	–		–		11	0
	2012		13	0	0	0	–		–		13	0
	2013	China League One	21	1	1	0	–		–		22	1
	2014	Chinese Super League	24	0	3	0	–		–		27	0
	2015		22	0	2	0	–		–		24	0
	2016		22	0	3	0	–		–		25	0
	2017		27	0	2	0	–		–		29	0
	2018		29	0	0	0	–		–		29	0
	2019		8	0	1	0	–		–		9	0
	2020		12	0	1	0	–		–		13	0
	2021		16	0	6	0	–		–		22	0
	2022		10	0	1	0	–		–		11	0
	Total		239	1	22	0	0	0	0	0	261	1
Career total			239	1	22	0	0	0	0	0	261	1

Honours

Club

Henan Jianye

• China League One: 2013.^[6]