Weize Mao

Mao Weijie became a starter at his hometown club when he was still seventeen, breaking into the side in 2022 when it played as Dalian Duxing in the fourth tier of Chinese football. The promotion has followed him up the pyramid ever since: a runners-up finish and a step up to League One in 2023. He scored three goals in that 2024 season and was named League One's best young player for August.

His first season in the top flight brought 25 appearances, two goals and an assist as Dalian Yingbo avoided relegation. The bigger change came this year, when he moved from an attacking role in midfield and on the wing back into defence, settling in at left-back and picking up the Super League's best young player award for April along the way. Twelve appearances, a goal and two assists in the position by June suggested the switch suited him.

International recognition has followed a similar curve. After representing China at various youth levels, Mao was part of the under-23 side that reached the final of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, finishing as runners-up. He made his senior debut for China in June against Singapore under Shao Jiayi, becoming the first player from Wafangdian to be capped by the national team.