Yan Yiming

Not to be confused with Yang Yiming.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Yan.

Yan Yiming (Chinese: 闫义明; born 4 February 1998) is a Chinese footballer currently playing as a forward for Zibo Cuju.

Yan Yiming

Personal information
Date of birth	(1998-02-04) 4 February 1998 (age 27)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Zibo Cuju
Number	19
Youth career
2006–2009	Beijing Guoan
2009–2012	Beijing Sangao
2013–2014	Atlético Madrid
2014–2015	Torre Levante
2015–2017	Cornellà
2017–2018	Deportivo Alavés
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2019	Deportivo Alavés B	0	(0)
2018	→ San Ignacio (loan)	0	(0)
2019	→ Parla (loan)	1	(0)
2019–2020	Atlético Saguntino	0	(0)
2020	Taizhou Yuanda	0	(0)
2021–	Zibo Cuju	26	(1)
International career
	China U18
	China U19
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14:01, 16 February 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Early career

Yan took an interest in sports as a child, with his father enrolling him in martial arts classes at the age of three, before joining the academy of professional football team Beijing Guoan in 2006.^[1] Three years later, he was admitted to the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China football team, Beijing Sangao [zh], having stood out at trials of over 400 other players.^[1]

Move to Europe

In 2012, Yan proposed pursuing a footballing career in Europe to his father. His father was initially hesitant, but in August of the same year, Yan moved to Spain, finding a personal football coach who got him in touch with professional side Villarreal.^[1] Following a trial with Villarreal, the club asked him to stay longer, and Yan's father moved from Beijing to help support his son's career in Spain.^[1]

His first official club in Spain was Atlético Madrid, where he spent the 2013–14 season. He also played for Torre Levante and Cornellà, before joining then-La Liga side Deportivo Alavés in 2017.^[2][3] While at Deportivo Alavés, he was loaned out to lower division sides San Ignacio and Parla.^[4] Following his departure from Deportivo Alavés, he joined Atlético Saguntino on a permanent deal in November 2019.^[5] He was named on the bench three times for Atlético Saguntino, but did not make an appearance for the club.^[6]

Return to China

Yan returned to China in 2020, joining China League One side Taizhou Yuanda, but did not make an appearance for the club.^[7]

Career statistics

Club

As of 16 February 2023.^[8]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Deportivo Alavés B	2018–19	Tercera División	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
San Ignacio (loan)			0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Parla (loan)			1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Atlético Saguntino	2019–20		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Taizhou Yuanda	2020	China League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Zibo Cuju	2021		14	1	1[a]	0	0	0	15	1
	2022		12	0	1[a]	1	0	0	13	1
	Total		26	1	2	1	0	0	28	2
Career total			27	1	2	1	0	0	29	2

1. Appearances in the Chinese FA Cup