Tyias Browning made nine appearances for Everton. (Image: Getty)
fans could struggle if they want to track the progress of a former academy graduate now playing in China. Having been born in , a 10-year-old named Tyias Browning joined the club in 2004, and spent eight years in the youth ranks before signing a senior contract in 2012.
The defender would then go on to spend seven more years at Goodison Park, although managed just nine first-team appearances for the club.
But amid loan spells at , , and , he was recognised at international level and won caps for under-17s, 19s, and 21s.
However, a move away from Everton in 2019 prompted big changes for the player off the field as well as on it. He moved to Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande for around £3.8million, helping them to the title in his first season in the Far East.
He also secured Chinese citizenship and just two years later, made his debut for the national team, eligible through his maternal grandmother. He stayed at Evergrande until August 2022, before leaving for rivals Shanghai Port.
Browning has since played 43 times for the club and won two further Super League titles. And he’s also become a key component for his new country, winning 32 caps and scoring once.
Now names Jiang Guangtai, the defender has 32 caps for China. (Image: Getty)
However, he no longer goes by the name Tyias Browning. Since leaving the UK, he’s officially changed his name to Jiang Guangtai, having made the alteration in 2022.
The move to China has undoubtedly proved lucrative too. And despite initially receiving criticism for opting to leave England for a league perceived to be of a lesser standard, Guangtai has since defended the domestic set-up.
“It’s a lot more competitive than what people think and fans are extremely passionate when it comes to the game of football,” he said last year. “There are a lot of things you have to adapt to on and off the pitch, but I feel like I’ve adjusted to it well.”
The 30-year-old is part of a . The likes of Oscar, Solomon Rondon, Marko Arnautovic, and Marouane Fellaini have also joined the Super League from a top-flight club in England.
The 2025 season doesn’t get underway until late February. Guangtai is again expected to play a key role under manager Kevin Muscat, who also played in the for .