On Monday the 7th of December, the Chinese boys of the SOCCER STAGES program of WOSPAC received a very special visit, the professional Chinese player, Gao Leilei.

Lei Lei was born in Beijing on July 15, 1980 and is an experienced midfielder with a long career. He has played at different clubs in the Super League of China, the A-League in New Zealand, the USSF Vikkausliiga of Finland and the United States. In addition the player pf Beijing is not only known for his ball skills and his vision, but is also famous for his role in Chinese society. Currently Leilei has helped to build several football fields. This to enable poor children, so they can enjoy this sport. Thanks to Leilei, China is considering to establish football as a compulsory subject at school.

A benchmark player in China which had a nice touch was making a visit to the child WOSPAC team, which has 20 Chinese players. Leilei is one of those professional athletes that managed to reach the top and enjoy every day of his profession. The dream of many boys of the SOCCER STAGES program is to becoming a professional footballer. Leilei has been very excited to share some moments with our kids and has confessed: “I am very happy and proud that our sport is so valued and desired by the young talents of my country. No doubt, these guys deserve to learn about the Spanish football, your level and learn every day. It has been a pleasure to share this moment with them and I hope to recur “.

Meanwhile, Lei Lei says that with work and effort everything comes around. And now it’s his turn at UE Cornellà, where he hopes to enjoy minutes in this competitive league, besides enjoying the city of Barcelona.

Career and Spanish destination

Gao Lei Lei began his professional football career in Wuhan in 1998, before moving to Beijing Guoan. It was with the team from the capital where Leilei won the audience and becoming a name as a football player. After 8 consecutive years defending the colors of Beijing Guaon, 121 games and 11 goals, he decided to go for a new sporting adventure.

In December 2006, he traveled to New Zealand to join the New Zealand Knights of the A-League of New Zealand, although it was for a very short period. After passing through Oceania, Leilei moved to Europe, particularly to Finland to sign with the team MyPa. He became the first Chinese player to play in the Veikkausliiga. Two years later, Gao was going back to New Zealand to play, only one year, with the Wellington Phoenix.

In 2009, Leilei returned to his hometown, Beijing. In Beijing he played for Hongdeng, but only a month later he was transferred to FC KooTeePee, Finland. Before he went to Spain, he played at another continent. In 2010, the Chinese player signed by the American club NSC Minnesota Stars, a team that plays at the USSF Division 2 Professional League. A couple months later he returned to Beijing to sign a contract with the Beijing Baxy. At that club he has a dream debut, 3-0 on the scoreboard and a goal in his private account. Because of some injuries he announced his retirement.

In 2015, after a period of hard work, he returned. He never abandoned the practice of football, and he signed a contract at a 2B Spanish League team, the UE Cornellà.

We wish great success to Gao Lei Lei during his time in the Spanish team and we look forward to experience his debut at the UE Cornellà!