According to Chinese media reports, Xu Bin is set to continue his development with a loan move to League One side Barnsley.
Coming just days after completing his transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers, the 19‑year‑old midfielder has been identified as a long‑term project by Wolves.
The club believes a spell in senior English football will accelerate his adaptation to the demands of the game.
However, if Xu Bin is unable to secure regular first‑team minutes at Barnsley, he will remain eligible to feature for the club’s U21 side.
That flexibility allows Wolves to maintain control over his development while still exposing him to senior‑level competition.
Xu Bin’s senior career began with Guangzhou FC, where he made 43 appearances between 2022 and 2025. Bin has established himself as a disciplined, hard‑working midfielder despite not registering a goal during his time there.
In January 2025, he moved to Qingdao West Coast on a free transfer. This is where he has continued his development with 30 senior appearances. Before becoming a regular part of their rotation before attracting attention from overseas.
On the international stage, Xu Bin has progressed steadily through China’s youth system. He featured for the U20s in early 2023, scoring once in four matches, before stepping up to the U23s in 2024. Furthermore, earning six caps.
Bin made 43 appearances between 2022 and 2025, establishing himself as a disciplined, hard‑working midfielder despite not registering a goal during his time there.
Bin received his first senior national‑team call‑up in February 2025. Although still awaiting his breakthrough at senior level. Furthermore, his consistent presence across multiple age groups highlights how highly he is regarded within the national setup.
His rise continued with involvement in the China PR U22 setup from March 2025, where he has added four more appearances. He has also received his first senior national‑team call‑up in February 2025.
The 21‑year‑old defensive midfielder was handed the armband for the Chinese U23 side at the AFC U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. This is where he led the team to a historic runners‑up finish – the nation’s best performance in the tournament’s history.
Football commentator Chen Ning said via his Weibo that “having taken the first step, it’s time to keep moving forward. Hopefully, Xu can serve as a role model for other young players in China.”
