A professional career starting at 14 years and 287 days established Wu Lei as the youngest player to appear in a Chinese professional league match. Born in Nanjing in 1991, he rose to prominence as a forward for Shanghai Port and the China national team, eventually becoming the all-time top goalscorer for both his club and the Chinese Super League.
Early Development and Breakthrough
Wu began his training at the Genbao Football Base in 2003 following a recommendation from Li Hongbing. After impressing founder Xu Genbao, he joined Shanghai East Asia in 2005. He debuted for the third-tier side on 2 September 2006. By 2008, he scored his first goal, marking him as the second-youngest goalscorer in Chinese football history at 16 years and 289 days.
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Transitioning into the Chinese Super League, Wu proved prolific. In 2013, he scored three hat-tricks, including efforts against Shanghai Shenxin, Tianjin Teda, and Qingdao Jonoon. By August 2018, he became the competition's all-time record goalscorer, surpassing Han Peng. He secured the 2018 Chinese Super League title, the Golden Boot with 27 goals, and the Chinese Football Association Footballer of the Year award. Returning to the club in 2022, he surpassed previous records, including Eran Zahavi’s single-season total, finishing the 2024 season with 34 league goals as Shanghai Port successfully defended their title.
European Tenure at RCD Espanyol
In January 2019, Wu transferred to the Spanish club RCD Espanyol for €2 million. His debut against Villarreal drew a television audience exceeding 40 million viewers in China. He became the first Chinese footballer to score in La Liga on 2 March 2019 against Real Valladolid. During his European tenure, he became the first Chinese player to score against Barcelona and the first to net a goal in a European competition group stage, excluding qualifiers, against CSKA Moscow in October 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 19 November 1991, Nanjing
- Professional debut: 2 September 2006
- Club record: Over 200 goals for Shanghai Port
- La Liga transfer: 28 January 2019
- Chinese Super League titles: 2018, 2023, 2024
- National team status: All-time leading goalscorer with 36 goals
- 2024 season record: 34 league goals
Questions readers ask
What records does Wu Lei hold in the Chinese Super League?
He is the all-time top goalscorer of the league and holds the record for the most goals scored in a single season, with 34 goals in 2024.
Did Wu Lei score in European continental competitions?
Yes. He scored in the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League, including a header against Luzern and a goal against CSKA Moscow in the group stage.
