Li Ka Chun

Li Ka Chun (Chinese: 李嘉進; born 10 September 1993), nicknamed Lali,[1] is a former Hong Kong professional footballer who currently plays for Hong Kong First Division club Metro Gallery.

Li Ka Chun
Li warming up for Rangers
Personal information
Full name Li Ka Chun
Date of birth (1993-09-10) 10 September 1993
Place of birth Hong Kong
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Metro Gallery
Youth career
2006–2010 Kitchee
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Kitchee 0 (0)
2011–2012 → Pegasus (loan) 4 (0)
2012–2014 Rangers (HKG) 9 (0)
2014–2017 Eastern 2 (1)
2014–2015 → Tai Po (loan) 5 (1)
2015–2016 → Metro Gallery (loan) 10 (0)
2017–2018 Dreams 9 (0)
2018–2019 Eastern District 27 (5)
2020 → Wong Tai Sin (loan) 2 (0)
2020– Metro Gallery 0 (0)
International career
2011 Hong Kong U19 1 (0)
2011 Hong Kong U23 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 November 2020

Club career

Born in Hong Kong during British reign, Li was spotted by Kitchee as a 13 year old during a youth football development programme he was attending during the summer.[2][3] He progressed well through the youth ranks, earning places in the Hong Kong national youth setup, and a trial with then-Premier League side Birmingham City in 2010.[4] In July of the same year, along with fellow Kitchee teammate Ngan Lok Fung, he traveled to Spain to participate in youth training events organised by Tercera División side CF Amposta, the former club of his then-manager, Josep Gombau.[1][3]

In June 2011, he was loaned to Pegasus (at the time known as TSW Pegasus FC), who were also competing in the First Division, the top level of football in Hong Kong before the introduction of the Premier League in 2014. In October 2011, he scored his first goal in the Senior Shield, the fifth of a 5–0 win over the Rangers.[5]

In July 2012, he returned to Rangers.[6] However, after two seasons without fully breaking into the first team, he left for Eastern in June 2014. Only two months later, he was sent out on loan to Tai Po.[7] He scored his first goal in the Premier League on 4 October, in a 1–2 defeat by Yuen Long.

In July 2015, having been demoted to Eastern's reserve team, he joined Metro Gallery on loan. He scored his first goal in the Sapling Cup, a consolation in a 1–3 defeat by South China.[8]

Li returned to Eastern ahead of the 2016–17 season and was given the number 18 shirt. He made his debut for Eastern in a 7–0 victory over HKFC, providing an assist for teammate Lee Hong Lim.[9] On 12 February, he scored his first goal for the club, the sixth of a 7–1 victory over R&F FC in the Sapling Cup.[10] He scored against the same opposition in his second league game on 5 March; the fourth goal in a 4–0 victory. On 11 July 2017, it was revealed that Li's contract with Eastern was not renewed.[11]

On 26 July 2017, Dreams confirmed that they had signed Li.[12]

On 13 May 2018, Li captained Dreams on his final match of his career, having previously announced his retirement at the end of the season.[13]

Personal life

As well as football, Li also acts, and played a supporting role in a stage performance of Tin Hong's The Love Story on Gentlemen Street, organised by his club, Eastern.[14]

References
  1. "Away win in Europe". Young Post. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  2. "八方人物：足球小將踢波改變人生". Apple News Hong Kong (in Chinese). 26 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  3. "戴志偉上身．李嘉進". Oriental Daily News (in Chinese). 2 October 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  4. "香港‧16歲窮小子‧從街場踢入足球甲組". Media Chinese International (in Chinese). 26 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  5. "天水圍飛馬 5:0 標準流浪". Hong Kong FA (in Chinese). 30 October 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  6. "甲組球隊巡禮(三) 流浪". Hong Kong FA (in Chinese). 27 August 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  7. "簡訊/北區邀陳融章出山". Ta Kung Pao Hong Kong (in Chinese). 5 August 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  8. "Match Results: Henderson Sapling Cup Group B". Hong Kong FA. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  9. "港超聯　重奪1哥寶座！東方龍獅7蛋贈港會". Oriental Daily News (in Chinese). 7 January 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  10. "菁英盃　又炒一場！牛丸苦練防守迎亞冠". Oriental Daily News (in Chinese). 12 February 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  11. "2017/18 東方龍獅教練團及球員名單". Facebook. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  12. "夢想FC開操記者會". Facebook. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  13. "前途大戰 標準流浪硬撼夢想FC". Oriental Daily. Retrieved 13 May 2018. (in Chinese)
  14. "李嘉進由球場跳上舞台\大公報記者\李恆基". Ta Kung Pao Hong Kong (in Chinese). 12 September 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
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