Xie Yuxin

Xie Yuxin (; born 12 October 1968 in Xingning, Guangdong) is a retired Chinese international footballer. He made more than 100 appearances for his country in international competitions. On 6 February 1987, Yuxin signed for PEC Zwolle '82, becoming the first Chinese person to play professional football abroad. He also held the record for being the youngest footballer, 1987-1996, at the age of 18 and youngest scorer, 1988-2003, at the age of 19, for the China national football team. Club career Xie Yuxin was a diminutive but highly skilled promising young player who was scouted and then transferred to Dutch football club FC Zwolle and would become the first Chinese player to play in professional football abroad. Unable to help them stay in the Eredivisie he would return to China with Team Guangdong. With the advent of professionalism within China he would go on to join top tier side Guangdong Winnerway and quickly establish himself as a regular within team. For the next several seasons he would become a vital member within the team's midfield as their creative midfielder until the 1996 league season saw him leave to join newly promoted side Guangzhou Matsunichi. Despite the better pay at his new club he would only stay for one season because of the problems he had with the manager, before returning to Guangdong. His return at Guangdong did not turn out as successful as he had hoped, despite regaining his place back into the team the club had a terrible season that saw them relegated. Considering retiring Xie Yuxin was offered the chance to join Shenyang Sealion and a chance to continue to play in the top tier. Taking this opportunity he became a regular within the team as well as their captain until he decided to leave at the end of the 2001 league season, where he effectively retired. Despite this he took on numerous player coaching roles and officially retired in 2005 with Hunan Shoking. International career Xie Yuxin was called up for the national team to play Football at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He later participated in the 1988 AFC Asian Cup, where he played a vital part in the team's fourth-place finish.