Gao Zhunyi

Gao Zhunyi (; ; born 21 August 1995) is a Chinese professional footballer who currently plays as a centre-back or full-back for Chinese Super League club Shandong Taishan and the China national team.

Club career

Youth Gao started his football career when he joined Shanghai Luckystar in 2009.

Kataller Toyama On 31 January 2014, he transferred to J2 League side Kataller Toyama, which made him the third Chinese footballer to play in the Japanese professional leagues after Jia Xiuquan and Xu Xiaofei. He made his debut for the club on 26 March 2014 in a 2–1 lost against Yokohama FC, becoming the youngest footballer ever to play for Kataller Toyama at 18-years old. He scored his first goal for the club on 29 April 2014 in a 3–2 win against Matsumoto Yamaga, making him the youngest goalscorer in the club's history at 18 years, 8 months and 8 days.

Avispa Fukuoka On 13 January 2015, Gao transferred to fellow J2 League side, Avispa Fukuoka after Kataller Toyama was relegated to the J3 League during the 2014 season. He made his debut for the club on 1 April 2015 in a 2–2 draw against Yokohoma FC.

Shandong Luneng On 3 July 2015, Gao transferred to Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng.

Loan to Hebei China Fortune On 25 February 2016, Gao was loaned out to fellow top tier side Hebei China Fortune until 31 January 2017. He made his debut for the club on 4 March 2016 in a 2–1 win against Guangzhou R&F, coming on as a substitute for Dong Xuesheng.

Hebei China Fortune In February 2017, Gao permanently transferred to the club after rejecting an offer from Romania Liga I side, CFR Cluj.

Guangzhou Evergrande On 2 February 2019, Gao transferred to fellow top tier side Guangzhou Evergrande. He would make his debut for the club in a league game against Tianjin Tianhai on 1 March 2019 in a 3–0 victory. Throughout the season he would go on to establish himself as a vital member within the team and go on to win the 2019 Chinese Super League title with the club.

Wuhan Three Towns On 28 April 2022, Gao signed with newly promoted top tier side Wuhan Three Towns. He would go on to make his debut on 12 August 2022, in a league game against Beijing Guoan, which ended in a 5–1 victory. After the game he would go on to establish himself as a regular within the team that won the 2022 Chinese Super League title.

Shandong Taishan On 25 January 2024, Gao returned to his former club Shandong Taishan (formerly named Shandong Luneng). On 20 February, he scored his first goal for Shandong in a 4-2 away win against Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale in the second leg of 2023–24 AFC Champions League Round of 16, which saw the team qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time in 8 years.

International career Gao made his debut for the Chinese national team on 10 January 2017 in a 2–0 loss against Iceland during the 2017 China Cup.

Personal life Gao Zhunyi is the son of former Chinese international footballer Gao Zhongxun.

International statistics

Honours Guangzhou Evergrande Chinese Super League: 2019

Wuhan Three Towns Chinese Super League: 2022 Chinese FA Super Cup: 2023