Jian Tao

Jian Tao (Chinese: 蹇韬; pinyin: Jiǎn Tāo; born 22 June 2001) is a Chinese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Chinese Super League club Chengdu Rongcheng.

Born in Guangyuan, Sichuan, Jian started his career with the Chengdu Derui football training school in 2012. He was scouted by the Chengdu Football Association, and joined the representative team in 2013. In 2018 he began training with French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais, and signed officially the following year.

After a year and a half with Lyon, Jian moved to satellite club Villefranche Beaujolais. However, after only one appearance for the club, coming off the bench in a 12–0 Coupe de France win over US Mozac, he was released by the club in July 2022.

Chengdu Rongcheng

Following his release, he trained with Chinese Super League side Chengdu Rongcheng in January 2023, before going on to sign permanently with the club on 7 April 2023.

On 4 August 2023, Jian made his Chinese Super league debut for Chengdu in a 3-2 away defeat at Qingdao Hainiu. He then immediately replaced Zhang Yan as the team's first-choice goalkeeper and started in all of the final 11 league matches of the season, keeping 4 clean sheets.

Jian has represented China from under-15 to under-21 level.

On 12 December 2023, Jian was named in China's squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. He was the only player in the squad with no previous national team experience and his selection led to controversy among fans not because they question his ability but because of manager Aleksandar Janković's decision to field 4 goalkeepers in the 26-man squad.

Club

As of 4 November 2023.

Notes