RANGERS Football Club are thrilled to announce the signing of Li Mengwen on a one-year deal, subject to visa and international clearance.
The 30-year-old defender joins the Light Blues as a free agent, having most recently left Brighton & Hove Albion in June.
Born in China, the right-back started her career in 2009 in her native homeland with Jiangsu, where she spent 14 years in total.
She won several honours on the way domestically, competing in the Chinese Super League whilst getting her hands on the league trophy in 2019 and winning the Chinese Women’s Cup on three occasions.
In September 2022, she made the switch out her country of birth for the first time in her career, joining French club PSG on a loan deal until the end of the season, going on to make 13 appearances for the side across all competitions. Featuring in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Wolfsburg and part of the squad that were runners-up in the Feminine Division 1 and Coupe de France Feminine.
The following summer saw her make the switch to Europe permanently, this time in England, as she made the move to Women’s Super League side Brighton following the expiry of her contract with Jiangsu.
Mengwen would go on to spend two years in England, which would include a loan spell with West Ham United, from September 2024 until the end of the most recent campaign.
She is also well represented on the international stage for China, earning 35 caps for her country in total, scoring twice. After featuring for various age groups at youth level including Under-17s, 20’s and 21’s, she made her senior debut in August 2018 in a convincing victory over Tajikistan.
In July 2021, the defender was named in her nation’s squad for the delayed Olympic Games after the pandemic, whilst the following January, Li was named in the squad for the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup. Playing three matches in the tournament as China went on to win their ninth continental title. She also competed in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the summer of 2023.
Speaking after signing for Rangers, Mengwen said: “I am excited, despite having a long flight, I am very excited to be here.
“I want to be in a competitive league; Rangers have a very ambitious process and I am happy to be here.”
Women’s Head Coach, Leanne Crichton added: “We’re delighted to welcome Li to Rangers.
“She brings a wealth of international and Women’s Super League experience and her traits will really compliment the way we want to play.
“Her composure in possession and defensive abilities will add real quality and also further depth to our squad, we’re excited to see the impact she can have both on and off the pitch.”
Women’s and Girls’ Managing Director Donald Gillies also said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Li to the club.
“Her arrival reflects our ambition to build a squad of international-class talent, capable of competing at the highest level and inspiring the next generation in our academy.
“Li’s technical quality, leadership, and experience at both club and international level will be invaluable as we push forward in domestic competitions whilst adding further depth to the backline.
“She’s not just a fantastic addition on the pitch; her character and professionalism will help with what we already have in the building and we look forward to seeing her perform.”
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