Will Still Strengthens Auxerre Attack with Chinese Starlet
AJ Auxerre have active plans for the upcoming Ligue 1 campaign under new manager Will Still. The French club officially secured the highly rated Chinese youth international Xiangxin Wei on Thursday, tying him down to a long-term contract until 2031.
The 18-year-old striker joins from Chinese Super League outfit Meizhou Hakka, where he made 17 top-flight appearances and netted one goal last season. Wei, who has represented China at U16 and U17 levels, arrives with significant potential.
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Wei becomes Auxerre's fourth summer signing, following goalkeeper Mamadou Diop from Grenoble, left-back Sekou Fofana from Lausanne-Sport, and midfielder Arthur Piedfort from Westerlo. The club's hierarchy, led by Chinese owner James Zhou, aims to build a competitive roster.
Should Wei break into Still's first-team tactical setup, he will become only the second Chinese player to feature in the French top flight. He follows Jinyu Li, who made eight appearances for Nancy during the 1998-1999 season.