Ex-Everton and England star, 30, now goes by new name and has won three titles in China

Tyias Browning was once a prospect at before changed the direction of his career.

Chinese Super League giants Guangzhou Evergrande signed him for around £4million in 2019 and the versatile defender, who had only played nine times for the Toffees, opted to leave Merseyside. It all but shut the door on England too following five appearances with the U21s.

Five years on from that decision though and Browning is a fully fledged international with China and a multiple league champion. He joined a side who won seven of the past eight titles and splashed huge sums to land the likes of Jackson Martinez from Atletico Madrid.

Browning is also known nowadays as Jiang Guangtai after he chose to change his name having earned a Chinese called up via his grandfather. He eventually called time on his stint with Guangzhou and signed for their rivals Shanghai Port.

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This weekend saw the former man win the second of his league titles with his current outfit after they defended their crown. Ex-Chelsea and Brazil star Oscar is among his team-mates with the playmaker part of the Chinese exodus seven years ago.

Browning's move certainly proved lucrative and he's been on a multi-million pound contract whilst playing in Asia. There was huge criticism when players chose to leave Europe for the Chinese Super League, but the former Everton man insisted the level was much higher than expected.

He said previously: "It’s a lot more competitive than what people think and fans are extremely passionate when it comes to the game of football. There are a lot of things you have to adapt to on and off the pitch, the conditions being one of those but I feel like I’ve adjusted to it well."

Browning still had years to go in his career when he chose to leave Everton, who have a strong history of giving youth a chance. The defender chose to turn down those prospects though, but was keen on a new challenge when he left England.

“People were saying I was a bit young to come to China but I came here for a new challenge and I’m enjoying it,” he told

Browning has also underlined his desire to eventually play at a World Cup with China - a goal he's yet to achieve with 2026 his next target.

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