Xiadalong bids farewell to Guangzhou Leopards and returns to Shenzhen Xinpengcheng

Reporter Wang Wei reporting On the evening of December 30th, Xiadalong revealed on social media that his contract with Guangzhou Leopards had ended and that he would be departing from the club. He is set to return to his old team Shenzhen Xinpengcheng to pursue new challenges.

Xiadlong transferred to Guangzhou Leopards at the start of the 2024 season. Over two seasons with the team, he took over the starting center forward position from Xiao Zhi in his first year, scoring 15 goals and becoming the top scorer in China League Two, playing a key role in the team’s promotion push.

In the following 2025 season, competing in China League One, Xiadalong initially served as a rotated foreign player with reduced playing time. However, towards the end of the season, when Carlos was suspended and out of form, he returned to the starting lineup to lead the attack. In the 2025 League One season, he contributed 4 goals and 3 assists despite limited appearances.

In the FA Cup match against Shenzhen Xinpengcheng, Xiadalong scored twice to help Guangzhou Leopards advance, sparking the team’s "dark horse" run in the tournament. In a crucial away game against Chongqing, he scored the winning header, keeping Guangzhou Leopards' promotion hopes alive until the final round. "You can always count on Xiadalong" became a popular saying among the Guangzhou Leopards fans.

In his farewell letter, Xiadalong stated: “These two years playing in Guangzhou have been a very important and unforgettable period in my professional career.” This sentence reflects his deep affection for Guangzhou Leopards and the city of Guangzhou. Here, he not only achieved professional success but also experienced personal growth. His development was evident not only on the pitch but also in learning how to perform under pressure and take on leadership roles within the team. “I have gone through a lot and grown a lot here—not just as a player, but as a person,” Xiadalong said.

At the moment of departure, Xiadalong expressed his gratitude to Guangzhou Leopards Football Club, the coaching staff, and his teammates: “Thanks to the club, coaches, teammates, and especially the fans who have always supported me. Your encouragement and companionship will always be remembered. Carrying the memories and gratitude from Guangzhou, I will keep moving forward. Thank you all!”

Upon leaving Guangzhou Leopards, Xiadalong announced that his next stop would be the Chinese Super League team Shenzhen Xinpengcheng. Two years ago, he helped Sichuan Jiuniu (the predecessor of Shenzhen Xinpengcheng) achieve promotion to the Super League.

Two years later, Xiadalong returns to his former club. In the 2026 season, he aims to compete in the Chinese Super League. “I want to give the Super League a shot. Next year I’ll be almost 33, and if I don’t try now, it will be difficult later. I want to take on this challenge,” Xiadalong said, emphasizing that playing in the Super League has always been his dream.

Besides Xiadalong’s contract expiration and transfer to Shenzhen Xinpengcheng, Guangzhou Leopards also saw Shang Yin and Shan Pengfei leave the team after their contracts ended. These players are expected to join new clubs next season. Meanwhile, Guangzhou Leopards are actively working on new signings.

To prepare for the 2026 season, Guangzhou Leopards have already begun training. Head coach Feng Feng stated: “From January 5th to 25th, the team will focus on physical conditioning and tactical preparation. Afterwards, we plan to go to Thailand for training, where we hope to play six high-level matches against local teams and Korean teams to complete the tactical integration. After the Spring Festival, the fourth phase of training will start to prepare and adjust for the league.”