Tan Long (Chinese: 谭龙; pinyin: Tán Lóng; born April 1, 1988), former name Tan Xin (Chinese: 谭鑫; pinyin: Tán Xīn),[1] is a Chinese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai and the China national team.

Tan Long
谭龙
Tan warming up with Vancouver Whitecaps in 2011
Personal information
Full name Tan Long
Birth name Tan Xin
Date of birth (1988-04-01) April 1, 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Dalian, Liaoning, China
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Changchun Yatai
Number 29
Youth career
2004–2006 Shanghai United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 Pudong Zobon 35 (3)
2009 Atlanta Blackhawks 12 (7)
2010 FC Tampa Bay 25 (3)
2011–2012 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 17 (1)
2011Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 (loan) 6 (5)
2012Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 (loan) 2 (3)
2012 D.C. United 6 (1)
2012Richmond Kickers (loan) 1 (0)
2013 Orlando City 25 (5)
2014 Harbin Yiteng 7 (0)
2014–2016 Arizona United 69 (29)
2015Tampa Bay Rowdies (loan) 4 (1)
2017– Changchun Yatai 193 (71)
International career
2018– China 20 (3)
2023 China U23 (Wildcard) 5 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22 January 2024
Tan Long
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinTán Lóng
IPA[tʰǎn lʊ̌ŋ]
Tan Xin
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinTán Xīn
IPA[tʰǎn ɕín]

Club career

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Tan started playing football when he was six. Between 1994 and 2004, he studied academics and played football at the Zhongshan School in his hometown Dalian before moving to Shanghai to further his career. He subsequently played for Shanghai United's youth team before joining second tier club Pudong Zobon in 2008 in the China League One division. He made his senior debut and scored his first professional goal on April 29, 2007, in a 2–1 home defeat to Beijing Institute of Technology.[2]

Tan relocated to the United States in late 2008, and played for the Atlanta Blackhawks in the USL Premier Development League in 2009, scoring 7 goals in 12 appearances.[3] He attended open tryouts for MLS’s Philadelphia Union, but did not get called back after the first round of workouts, and eventually signed with FC Tampa Bay of the new USSF Division 2 Professional League in January 2010.[4]

Tan's rights were traded to Vancouver Whitecaps FC as part of the deal taking Jonny Steele and Ricardo Sánchez to Tampa Bay on July 20, 2010. He went on trial with the club in November 2010 in view of signing with the club following their move up to Major League Soccer.[5] Tan signed a contract with the club on March 11, 2011.[6] He made his debut for the club on March 26, 2011, in a 1–0 loss to Philadelphia Union, and in doing so became the first Chinese-born player to play for a Major League Soccer club. On October 12, 2011, Tan become the first Chinese-born player to score a goal in the league, against D.C. United.[7]

Whitecaps FC traded Tan to D.C. United on June 28, 2012, in exchange for a third-round 2015 MLS SuperDraft pick.[8] He scored his first goal against the Chicago Fire in a 4–2 win for D.C. United.[9] Tan was later released after the end of the season.[10]

Tan then signed with USL Professional Division club Orlando City on February 6, 2013.[11] On April 6, 2013, Tan scored a goal and assisted on another during his debut for Orlando in a 3–1 victory over Phoenix FC.[12] In the fourth round of the 2013 U.S. Open Cup, he scored in the second minute in a 1–0 victory against defending champions Sporting Kansas City to bring his club to the next round.[13] His contract was not renewed at the end of the 2013 season and he was released.[14]

On February 21, 2014, Tan returned to China and joined Chinese Super League newcomer Harbin Yiteng.[15] He received a ban of four matches at the beginning of 2014 season when he was registered at the Chinese Football Association for age falsification which he changed his age from April 1, 1988, to February 2, 1989.[16] Tan played seven matches for Harbin before he was released by the club on July 5, 2014.[17]

Tan returned to the United States and signed with USL Pro club Arizona United SC on July 11, 2014.[18] In only 12 league appearances for Arizona, Tan scored five goals, tying with Jonathan Top as the team's leading scorer and led the team with 32 shots. After signing Tan, Arizona nearly doubled its goals-per-game average, going from 0.88 to 1.58. Tan was named to the All-League Second Team for his efforts.[19] On October 21, 2014, it was announced that Tan had signed a multi-year contract for the club before the 2015 USL season.[20] He again led United with 14 goals in 27 games and was tied for fourth in league play along with Luke Vercollone of Colorado Springs. He also was selected for the All-League First Team.[21] Tan was loaned to the Tampa Bay Rowdies after the end of the USL season on September 22, 2015. Tan played for Arizona United in 2016.[22][23]

Changchun Yatai

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On January 22, 2017, Tan transferred to Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai.[24] He made his debut for Changchun on March 4, 2017, in a 5–1 away defeat against Shanghai SIPG, coming on as a substitute for Zhou Dadi in the half time.[25] His first goal in the Chinese Super League came in a 1–0 home win against Henan Jianye on April 23 2017, when he scored the winning goal as Yatai secured their first win of the season.[26]

In a memorable game against 7-time defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande at home on 11 August 2018, he came on as a substitute and scored twice to help the team come from behind to win 3-2. At the end of the 2018 season, he would unfortunately be part of the squad that was relegated.[27]

On 9 March 2019, Tan scored his first hat trick for Yatai in a 4-1 away win against Shanghai Shenxin in the opening game of the 2019 China League One season. [28] Tan scored 19 league goals and won both the domestic golden boot and Most Valuable Player in the 2019 China League One season. [29] On 8 October 2020, Tan made his 100th appearance for Yatai in a 2-0 win against Taizhou Yuanda. Yatai went on to win the title and earned promotion back to the top tier at the end of the 2020 season.[30] Tan won the golden boot with 11 goals.

On 4 June 2022, Tan scored his first Chinese Super League hat-trick in a 4-1 win against Guangzhou City in the opening game of the 2022 Chinese Super League season.[31]

International career

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Tan made his debut for Chinese national team on March 26, 2018, in a 4–1 loss against Czech Republic in the third place match of 2018 China Cup.[32] On 12 June 2021, Tan scored his first international goal in a 5–0 win over Maldives in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.[33]

Tan was named in China's squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar and started the team's opening match against Tajikistan on 13 January 2024.[34]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 5 May 2024[35]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Pudong Zobon 2007 China League One 12 1 12 1
2008 23 2 23 2
Total 35 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 3
Atlanta Blackhawks 2009 USL PDL 12 7 12 7
FC Tampa Bay 2010 USSF D2 Pro League 25 3 2 0 27 3
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2011 Major League Soccer 13 1 0 0 13 1
2012 4 0 1 0 0[a] 0 5 0
Total 17 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 18 1
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 2011 PDL 6 5 6 5
2012 2 3 2 3
Total 8 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8
D.C. United 2012 Major League Soccer 6 1 0 0 0[a] 0 6 1
Richmond Kickers 2012 USL 1 0 0 0 0[a] 0 1 0
Orlando City 2013 USL Pro 23 2 3 1 2[a] 3 28 6
Harbin Yiteng 2014 Chinese Super League 7 0 0 0 7 0
Arizona United 2014 USL Pro 12 5 0 0 0[a] 0 12 5
2015 USL 27 14 1 0 28 14
2016 29 10 1 0 30 10
Total 68 29 2 0 0 0 0 0 70 29
Tampa Bay Rowdies (loan) 2015 NASL 4 1 0 0 4 1
Changchun Yatai 2017 Chinese Super League 29 8 0 0 29 8
2018 29 6 0 0 29 6
2019 China League One 30 19 0 0 30 19
2020 15 11 2 1 17 12
2021 Chinese Super League 22 3 2 2 24 5
2022 32 10 0 0 32 10
2023 26 10 0 0 26 10
2024 10 4 0 0 10 4
Total 193 71 4 3 0 0 0 0 197 74
Career total 399 126 12 4 0 0 2 3 413 133
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearances in Playoffs

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
China 2018 1 0
2019 5 0
2020 0 0
2021 1 1
2022 3 1
2023 6 0
2024 4 1
Total 20 3
Scores and results list China's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tan goal.
List of international goals scored by Tan Long
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 11 June 2021 Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates   Maldives 5–0 5–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 27 July 2022 Toyota Stadium, Toyota, Japan   Hong Kong 1–0 1–0 2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
3 1 January 2024 United Arab Emirates   Hong Kong 1–0 1–2 Friendly

Honours

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Orlando City

  • USL Pro Championship: 2013

Changchun Yatai

Individual

References

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  1. ^ 揭秘中邦小将谭鑫:有1跨国家庭 女友叫小柳金 [Decrypt Zobon's young fellow Tan Xin: a multinational family with a girlfriend nicknamed little Liukin] (in Chinese). cn.yahoo.com. August 28, 2008. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  2. ^ 上海七斗星输球仍有亮点 谭鑫首次登场就进球 [There is still bright spot after Shanghai Stars' loss: Tan Xin scores his first goal in the debut] (in Chinese). Sports.qq.com. April 29, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  3. ^ "Atlanta Blackhawks 2009 USL PDL Statistics". Uslsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  4. ^ Murray, Nicholas (January 31, 2010). "Long Tan latest signing by FC Tampa Bay". Thetampabaysoccerblog.blogspot.com. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  5. ^ http://173.203.18.202/news/2010/11/long-tan-trial-and-cornelius-stewart-returns [dead link]
  6. ^ "Whitecaps FC sign defender/midfielder Blake Wagner and striker Long Tan | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. March 11, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  7. ^ Martin MacMahon (October 12, 2011). "Tan's first goal lifts 'Caps off bottom of league table | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  8. ^ Whitecaps FC trade Long Tan to D.C. United and waive Floyd Frank
  9. ^ "Long Tan acquired". D.C. United. June 28, 2012. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  10. ^ "D.C. United waives Long Tan". DC United. January 25, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
  11. ^ "Orlando City Soccer Club: Team News". Orlandocitysoccer.com. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  12. ^ "Orlando Rallies Past Phoenix". USL Pro. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  13. ^ "Sporting Kansas City vs Orlando City FC 06-13-2013 - Recap MLS Soccer.com". MLSsoccer.com. June 12, 2013. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  14. ^ "With MLS Goal, City Re-Tools Roster". Orlandocitysoccer.com. September 13, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  15. ^ 毅腾正式签留洋锋煞 中国赴美大联盟第一人加盟 [Yiteng signed oversea forward officially, First Chinese player in the MLS joined] (in Chinese). Sports.sohu.com. February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  16. ^ 陈志钊及海归新星因改年龄已被执行停赛4场 (in Chinese). Sina. March 23, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  17. ^ 哈尔滨毅腾宣布与谭龙解约 大连籍前锋获自由身 (in Chinese). Sohu. July 5, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  18. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  19. ^ "USL PRO All-League Teams Announced". United Soccer Leagues (USL). September 23, 2014. Archived from the original on September 23, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  20. ^ "Tan Re-Signs With Arizona". USL Pro. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  21. ^ "Long Tan Named to USL All-League First Team". Arizona United SC. October 26, 2015. Archived from the original on December 10, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  22. ^ "Forward Long Tan Loaned Out to Tampa Bay Rowdies". Arizona United SC. September 22, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  23. ^ "ROWDIES PREP FOR PLAYOFF PUSH WITH ADDITION OF LONG TAN". Tampa Bay Rowdies. September 22, 2015. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  24. ^ 亚泰官宣三新援:巴甲铜靴+海归悍将 (in Chinese). Sohu.com. January 22, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  25. ^ 中超-埃神戴帽武磊+胡尔克传射 上港5-1逆转亚泰 (in Chinese). Sina.com. March 4, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  26. ^ 流浪射手中超首球搅局贾秀全百场 曾征战大联盟 (in Chinese). Sina.com. April 23, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  27. ^ "China 2018". rsssf.org. October 8, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  28. ^ "中甲-谭龙帽子戏法杨超声添花 亚泰4-1大胜申鑫". Sina Sports. March 9, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  29. ^ "中甲颁奖:谭龙摘MVP+本土最佳射手 王波最佳主帅". Sina Sports. November 20, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  30. ^ a b "观察: 亚泰重返中超--金元逝去 秩序回归". sports.sina.com.cn. November 10, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  31. ^ "谭龙上演个人中超帽子戏法 长春亚泰4比1胜广州城获开门红". Dongqiudi. June 4, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  32. ^ 再造惨案!国足4分钟连丢3球1-4遭逆转 中国杯垫底. Sina (in Chinese). March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  33. ^ "世预赛-多点开花!五将均建功 国足5-0马代迎3连胜". Sina Sports. June 12, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  34. ^ "Group A: China PR 0-0 Tajikistan". Asian Football Confederation. January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  35. ^ 谭龙 at sodasoccer.com. Retrieved August 11, 2018 (in Chinese) Archived 2018-08-11 at the Wayback Machine
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  NODES
Association 1
INTERN 7
Note 1