SHANGHAI SIPG

Shanghai SIPG Football Club is a professional football club based in Shanghai, China. Established in 2005 as Shanghai Dongya Football Club, it was later rebranded as Shanghai SIPG in 2014 after being acquired by the Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG). The club is currently a prominent member of the Chinese Super League, the highest tier of professional football in China.

Shanghai SIPG's journey to prominence has been marked by significant milestones and achievements. The club started in the Chinese League One, the second tier of Chinese football, where they won the championship in 2007, earning promotion to the Chinese Super League. However, it was after the acquisition by SIPG and the subsequent rebranding that the club truly began to make its mark.

Under the new ownership, Shanghai SIPG has consistently been one of the top teams in the Chinese Super League. The club's crowning achievement came in 2018 when they won the Chinese Super League title, breaking Guangzhou Evergrande's seven-year dominance. This victory marked the first top-tier league title in the club's history.

The club's success is not limited to domestic competitions. Shanghai SIPG has also made its presence felt in the Asian football scene, regularly participating in the AFC Champions League. The club reached the semi-finals of the competition in 2017, their best performance to date.

Shanghai SIPG's home games are played at the Shanghai Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium with a seating capacity of over 56,000. The stadium, one of the largest in China, is known for its passionate and vocal home support, creating an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.

Over the years, Shanghai SIPG has been home to several notable players, both domestic and international. Brazilian forward Hulk, former Chelsea player Oscar, and Uzbekistani midfielder Odil Ahmedov are among the high-profile foreign players who have donned the red jersey of Shanghai SIPG. The club has also nurtured local talents like Wu Lei, who is considered one of the best Chinese footballers of his generation.

Shanghai SIPG's rise to prominence in Chinese football has been rapid and impressive. The club's commitment to investing in top-quality players and coaching staff, coupled with a strong focus on youth development, has seen it become a powerhouse in the Chinese Super League. Despite its relatively short history, Shanghai SIPG has made a significant impact on Chinese football and continues to be a force to be reckoned with.