Bayern Munich sign Chinese teenager Liu Shaoziyang to three year youth development contract

Liu Shaoziyang has become the first Chinese goalkeeper to be signed by a European club, after inking a three-year deal with Bayern Munich. The 18-year-old arrives at the FC Bayern Campus from partner club Wuhan Three Towns FC on a youth development contract until 30 June 2025.

The 1.90m Liu is already living and training with the U19 side, in addition to working with goalkeeping coordinator Tom Starke and taking regular German lessons to speed up his integration.

“It’s a great honour that one of the biggest clubs in the world has given me this once-in-a-lifetime chance,” Liu said. “FC Bayern have many fans in my homeland. I’m incredibly proud and happy.”

Bayern have built a strong foundation in China in recent years, opening a Shanghai office and operating academies in the provinces of Shandong and Guangdong, as well as teaming up with Wuhan Three Towns FC.

Club CEO Oliver Kahn said he was pleased to see Bayern’s footing in China bear its first fruit. “We’re delighted to have signed our first player from partner club Wuhan Three Towns in Liu Shaoziyang,” Kahn said.

“This transfer is an advert for our network in China, which we have built up over recent years together with our staff at the office in Shanghai as well as our partners across the region.”

Bayern is one of the most successful clubs in German football history, having won a record 31 national titles, including nine consecutively since 2013, and 20 national cups, along with numerous European honours.

Jochen Sauer, head of the FC Bayern Campus described Liu as a player with great potential.

“Liu has been training with us as a trialist at the FC Bayern campus for a while now and he’s progressed very well. We see further potential in him, which is why we’ve completed this signing and are pleased to be able to present the first Chinese player for FC Bayern.”