Early Life and Youth Career

• Born: November 19, 1991, in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
• Youth Teams: Wu Lei started his football journey at the age of 12 when he joined the Genbao Football Base, a prominent youth academy in Shanghai.

Club Career

Shanghai SIPG (formerly Shanghai East Asia)

• 2006: Wu Lei made his professional debut for Shanghai East Asia at the age of 14, becoming the youngest player to appear in a professional match in China.
• 2006-2018: Wu Lei played a pivotal role in Shanghai's rise from the China League Two to the Chinese Super League (CSL). He became the top scorer in the CSL, winning the Golden Boot in 2018 with 27 goals.
• Achievements:
  • Helped Shanghai SIPG win their first Chinese Super League title in 2018.
  • Won multiple individual awards including the CSL Golden Boot and Chinese Footballer of the Year.

RCD Espanyol

• 2019: Wu Lei transferred to Espanyol in La Liga, becoming the first Chinese player to join the Spanish top division in over a decade.
• 2019-Present: Wu Lei quickly adapted to European football, scoring important goals for Espanyol, including one in the Catalan derby against Barcelona. Despite Espanyol's relegation in 2020, Wu Lei stayed with the team and helped them gain promotion back to La Liga.
• Achievements:
  • Scored his first La Liga goal against Real Valladolid in March 2019.
  • Contributed significantly to Espanyol's promotion back to La Liga in the 2020-2021 season.

International Career

• 2010: Wu Lei made his debut for the Chinese national team.
• 2019 Asian Cup: Played a key role in China reaching the quarter-finals, scoring two goals in the tournament.
• 2018 and 2022 World Cup Qualifiers: Wu Lei has been a consistent performer for the national team, scoring crucial goals in qualification matches.

Style of Play and Legacy

Wu Lei is known for his speed, agility, and goal-scoring ability. His versatility allows him to play as a winger or forward, making him a vital player for both club and country. Wu Lei's move to Espanyol has been significant for Chinese football, inspiring many young players in China.

Awards and Honors

• Chinese Super League Golden Boot: 2018
• Chinese Footballer of the Year: Multiple times
• Chinese Super League Champion: 2018 with Shanghai SIPG

Wu Lei's career reflects his talent, determination, and impact on Chinese football, both domestically and internationally. 먹튀검증