Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – The Shanghai Harbour Football Club's 2026 season launch ceremony was held on the 27th at the team's home stadium, SAIC Pudong Football Stadium. At the ceremony, Yang Xi, Zhang Yuan, An Yongjia, Lu Yongtao, Yue Xin, and eight newly signed players – foreign players Claude and Ampem, and Gabriel, who officially transferred this season – made their appearances.
In the 2025 season, Harbour won its fourth league title, achieving a three-peat in the Chinese Super League. Its youth training systems at all levels have shown steady growth, with young players making their mark in the National Games and professional competitions.
At the ceremony, Song Xiaodong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), and Zhang Min, Vice President of SIPG and Chairman of Harbour Football Club, presented jerseys to the eight new signings and offered their encouragement. The ceremony also included a special award ceremony for the fourth phase of the 2025 Yangshan Football Club season, closely linking the spirit of SIPG's Yangshan team with the spirit of Harbour Football Club.
Yan Junling, Wang Shenchao, and Jiang Guangtai received the "Stabilizing Force" Cornerstone Award; Vital received the "Intelligent Drive" Scheduling Award; Leonardo and Gabriel received the "Conquering the City" Progress Award; and Wumitijiang, Li Xinxiang, and Kuai Jiwen received the "Iterative Upgrade" Rising Star Award. Liu Haiguang, Chairman of the Shanghai Football Association, presented the "Strategic Planning" ITOS Award to Muscat, the head coach of the Shanghai Harbour FC first team.
2026 marks the 21st anniversary of the Shanghai Harbour FC Football Club. The team faces numerous challenges ahead of the new season. Sha Liangchang, Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of the Shanghai Harbour FC Football Club, encouraged the team to focus on themselves and achieve extraordinary success. According to reports, the Harbour team will embark on its new journey with a "three-pronged focus": "Anchoring for the long term, focusing on the present," starting afresh with a fresh attitude, concentrating on every minute of the preparation period, systematically promoting the transition between old and new players, and continuously improving team management; "Facing challenges head-on, focusing on self-improvement," facing an unprecedentedly negative start, the club's goals remain unchanged, transforming passion and desire into the courage and motivation to overcome difficulties, interpreting responsibility through hard work; "Acknowledging weaknesses, focusing on breakthroughs," the club will continue to cultivate its youth training ground, expand overseas training channels, deepen the diversified integration of "culture, sports, commerce, tourism, and exhibitions," develop public welfare undertakings, and promote football culture in factories, schools, and communities.
During the preparation period for the 2026 season, the entire Harbour team has made steady progress in tactical and technical integration and physical conditioning, and the integration of new signings with the team is also deepening. At the departure ceremony, Muscat shared his feelings and specifically thanked the Harbour City fans for their support: "Having been with Harbour City for two years, I've been reflecting on what makes this place so special. The answer is that we have a group of like-minded people." He especially thanked Shanghai SIPG Group and the club for their strong support from top to bottom, and mentioned the excellent example set by veteran players who came from the Chongming training base.
Regarding the fans, Muscat said, "Through thick and thin, your unwavering support is crucial. In the new season, the team will continue to uphold Harbour City's unique football style, making the fans proud, and we look forward to working together with you towards the next goal."
At the departure ceremony, team captain Wu Lei appeared. Due to injury, Wu Lei missed most of the team's 2025 season, but both on and off the field, he consistently fulfilled his responsibilities as a team leader and a veteran player.
Regarding the new season, Wu Lei expressed his expectations: "Past achievements will not be a reason for us to stop; what motivates us is higher pursuit. The transition between generations is not just about adjusting the roster, but also about passing on a spirit and responsibility. As a veteran player, I understand that I am in a crucial position, bridging the past and the future, and I must pass on the spirit of Shanghai Harbour FC to the younger generation bit by bit. In the 2026 season, all my teammates and I will go all out, repaying every expectation with our running on the field and the passion in our hearts."
During the flag presentation ceremony, Xu Bin, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Shanghai Municipal Sports Bureau, presented Wu Lei, captain of the Harbour FC first team, with a flag bearing the inscription "Twenty-One Hearts, Embarking on a Dream Journey." This flag not only marks the official start of the new season but also embodies the Harbour FC family's unity, hard work, and determination to forge ahead on a new journey. Wu Lei frankly stated that he hopes to join everyone in adding another star to the front of their jerseys. (End)
