China's U23 captain Xu Bin set to join Premier League club Wolves

The Chinese U23 national team captain Xu Bin is set to embark on a European adventure after having reportedly completed a move to join Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers this week, according to Chinese media.

The 21-year-old defensive midfielder, who captained China to a record runner-up finish at the recently concluded 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, flew to England shortly after China's 4-0 loss to Japan in Saturday's final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to complete the transfer process according to a report on Chinese soccer news and streaming website zhibo8.com.

It is widely anticipated that Xu will be loaned to a club in the second-tier Championship for the remainder of the 2025-26 European season, said the report.

Xu's solid defensive presence in the midfield was a key contributor to the Chinese U23 squad's impressive and historic run to its debut final at the continental tournament in Saudi.

"I think a lot of the players of my generation have the ability to try to play in overseas leagues. I would like to lead by an example," Xu told Xinhua after the final.

"It will be an effective way to improve as a player. I'd like to broaden my horizons by plying my trade in Europe and see how much it improves my game.

"Since I've decided to give it a go, I have braced myself for all the challenges that lay ahead, such as the language barrier."

As a graduate of Guangzhou Evergrande Football Academy, Xu made his Chinese Super League debut in 2022 representing Guangzhou FC, before joining Qingdao West Coast on a free transfer in January 2025.

In the 2025 CSL season, he played 30 matches, contributing three assists, and proved a formidable member of China's U23 squad throughout the recent Asian Cup campaign.

Starting in five of the team's six matches, Xu completed 10 interceptions and delivered a 73 percent pass completion rate, establishing himself as a key player in transition.

Wolves, owned by Chinese conglomerate Fosun International, currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table, with just eight points from 23 matches, and face an uphill battle to avoid relegation.

However, due to the UK's strict work permit rules for non-EU players, Xu is believed to not yet be eligible to play in the Premier League. Even if he completes the transfer as expected, he is likely to be loaned out, with a move to a Championship club or another European league being the most likely option.

Qin Haotian contributed to this story.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn