Beijing Guoan completes its foreign player lineup for the new season, awaiting the Super Cup test

By Cheng Shan On February 24, the first working day after the Spring Festival holiday, Beijing Guoan officially announced the signing of 24-year-old Malian midfielder Konte. With this, Guoan has secured three foreign players this winter transfer window: Portuguese defender Ramos, French winger N’Kololo, and Konte, completing their foreign player roster for the new season. It is worth mentioning that despite the late announcement, Konte had already arrived in Suzhou to train with the squad and even played in the friendly against Liaoning Ironmen on the 23rd. Except for the injured Spajic, the other five foreign players of Guoan are fully preparing for the Super Cup match against Shanghai Port on March 1.

After winning the FA Cup last season, Guoan appointed a new sports director, Ma Yongming, and a new head coach, Montgomery, earlier this year. The recruitment strategy for foreign players in the new season has also changed significantly. From Hamburg’s defender Ramos from the Bundesliga, to N’Kololo, a winger who has played in European competitions this season, and the young, physically strong versatile midfielder Konte, Guoan has strengthened its squad across three lines with new foreign signings.

Born in 2001, Konte is Guoan’s first “post-2000” foreign player in club history and the second Malian foreign player after Kanouté in 2012. In early 2019, before turning 18, Konte won the U20 Africa Cup with his team and was soon signed by Norwegian club Sarpsborg. He rose to fame during the 2019 U20 World Cup: scoring the opener against Panama in the group stage and netting a last-minute equalizer in extra time against Argentina in the round of 16, helping Mali win the penalty shootout and advance.

Konte did not get many opportunities to showcase himself in the Norwegian league but has demonstrated his versatility in midfield and attack. Since 2021, whether in Norway’s second division, Portuguese top and second leagues, or the Georgian top league, Konte has consistently contributed goals and assists each season. He is a versatile midfielder, capable of playing defensive midfield, central midfield, and attacking midfield, and occasionally filling in as a winger or striker. Notably, in July 2023, Konte faced former Guoan player Hou Yongyong in the Norwegian second division; his team Fredrikstad won 4-0 against Ranheim, with Konte providing both a goal and an assist.

Since joining Georgia’s Gori Tskhinvali team for the 2024 season, Konte has played almost every tactical position in midfield and attack. Over two seasons, he appeared 81 times, contributing a total of 14 goals and 8 assists. In 2025, he helped the team secure the Super Cup, Georgian Cup double, and a league runner-up finish. In the December 2025 cup final, Konte scored a goal shortly before the match ended, sealing the victory and the championship.

Entering the 2026 season with Guoan, with Guiga departing and Dawan recovering from injury, the addition of versatile midfielder Konte not only strengthens the midfield defense but also supports the attack. Konte’s recent form is impressive; at the end of last year, he scored in four consecutive matches for Gori Tskhinvali. He could potentially become a surprising offensive asset for Guoan this season.

Additionally, the 28-year-old center-back Ramos, 24-year-old midfielder Konte, and 29-year-old winger N’Kololo are all under 30, right in their prime years. Moreover, all three new foreign players are versatile, capable of playing multiple tactical roles. N’Kololo, the most valuable among them, spent two seasons in the Australian A-League and played in the UEFA Europa League this season, mainly as a right winger but also able to play on the left. Ramos primarily plays as a center-back but can also fill in as a defensive midfielder. The newest signing, Konte, can cover nearly all positions in midfield and attack. This clearly shows Guoan’s new approach to recruiting foreign players.

This winter, Guoan’s investment in foreign signings was modest. According to Transfermarkt, Konte’s transfer fee was €650,000, while Ramos and N’Kololo were both €100,000, totaling €850,000. However, in terms of market value, N’Kololo is valued at €1 million, Ramos at €700,000, and Konte at €550,000. Comparing transfer fees to player values, the cost-effectiveness is quite high. Ramos, with over 130 appearances in Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga, and Portuguese second division, brings rich experience from top European leagues, making his €100,000 transfer fee a bargain.

From the warm-up matches, Konte’s integration into the team looks promising. Given Spajic’s injury, barring unforeseen circumstances, Guoan’s squad for the Chinese Super League before the summer transfer window will consist of the three new foreign players alongside the newly renewed striker Fabio and defensive midfielder Dawan.