Lee Chi Ho, Hong Kong international and captain of South China, has signed with Beijing Guoan. The 30 year old defender can play as a central defender, though played on the right for South China, who won the Hong Kong title this season.
Beijing picks up Lee on a free transfer, as he was out of contract with South China at the end of the season, which was over in May. Lee signed a year and a half contract with Guoan and appears excited for a new challenge. He is unlikely to be a regular starter, instead serving as an alternative when the manager wants to rest Zhou Ting.
Lee will be the only Hong Konger currently playing in the Chinese Super League, but he is certainly not the first. Former South China teammate Ng Wai Chiu has the longest career in the CSL, having played with Shanghai Shenhua and Hangzhou Greentown and currently one of multiple Hong Kongers playing in the China League.
Guoan said they would make a number of moves during the summer transfer window and Lee looks to be an interesting choice, using up one of the club’s three domestic transfer openings. He will start practicing with the team immediately, but won’t be available for selection until the transfer window officially opens on July 1.
by bcheng
