FC Bayern signs Chinese goalkeeper Liu Shaoziyang

MUNICH -- FC Bayern on Thursday announced the signing of Chinese goalkeeper Liu Shaoziyang for its youth team.

Liu, 18, is from Bayern's Chinese affiliate club FC Wuhan Three Towns, and has signed a contract with the German giants until June 2025.

The 1.90-metre-tall Liu is currently living at the FC Bayern campus, training with Bayern's U-19 side and occasionally with the reserve team at Sabener Strasse.

"It's a great honor that one of the biggest clubs in the world has given me this once-in-a-lifetime chance. FC Bayern has many fans in my homeland. I'm incredibly proud and happy," said Liu, who is already working with goalkeeping coach Tom Starke and taking regular German lessons.

FC Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn hailed Liu's transfer as a result of the relationship between Bayern and Wuhan.

"We're delighted to have signed our first player from partner club Wuhan Three Towns. This transfer is an advert for our network in China, which we have built up over recent years together with our staff at our office in Shanghai, as well as our partners across the region," said Kahn.

Jochen Sauer, head of FC Bayern's youth team, said he sees 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," said Sauer.