Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard 2023 Home Jersey/Shirt
£34.99
This is a Kelme Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard home jersey that was due to be worn by the team in the 2023 China League One season.
Until their dissolution in February 2023, Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard were based in Ürümqi and competed in China’s League One, the second tier of football in China. They were the highest-ranked club in the region of Xinjiang, located in North-western China and had been based in Ürümqi since 2014, after the club owners decided to relocate from Hubei. They largely struggled for success, with their best season being an 8th place finish in 2015. Their finals seasons were particularly difficult for the club, with Xinjiang finishing in the relegation zone on several occasions, however due to other clubs being unable to be promoted from the lower division, Xinjiang miraculously managed to stay afloat in League One. The club avoided relegation until their eventual demise following the end of the 2022 season, largely due to a lack of funds from their owner Urumqi Juntai Real Estate. Despite a lack of on-field success, the club provided an opportunity for talented players from Xinjiang to develop in a professional setting, with many Uyghur footballers now playing in the Chinese Super League as well as the national team.
This design was produced in very limited quantities by Kelme for Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard to wear in the 2023 China League One season, however was ultimately never worn by the team as they dissolved prior to the start of the season.