Long Tan

PROFILE:
A promising striker that appeared in the USSF D-2 Pro League with FC Tampa Bay in 2010, Chinese-born Long Tan joined Whitecaps FC's inaugural Major League Soccer squad on Mar. 11, 2011, after impressing Vancouver during a preseason trial. A native of Dalian, China, Tan's rights were initially acquired by Whitecaps FC in a trade that saw midfielders Ricardo Sanchez and Jonathan Steele join FC Tampa Bay on July 20, 2010. The striker is the first Chinese-born player to sign in MLS.

MLS EXPERIENCE:

• 2011: Tan started four of his 13 appearances during his first season in MLS with Whitecaps FC. The striker made his MLS debut as a late substitute in Whitecaps FC's 1-0 defeat at Philadelphia Union on Mar. 26. He replaced Nizar Khalfan during Vancouver's first-ever away match in the league. It was away from home that Tan made his first MLS start on May 14, as Whitecaps FC fell 1-0 at New England Revolution. Tan then assisted on Camilo's consolation strike during Whitecaps FC's 2-1 away defeat to Colorado Rapids on July 9 before assisting on Shea Salinas' winning goal during Vancouver’s 1-0 home win over Houston Dynamo on Aug. 27. Tan then registered his first goal in MLS when he headed home the winner during Whitecaps FC's 2-1 home win over D.C. United on Oct. 12.

MLS RESERVE LEAGUE:

• 2011: The striker appeared in all but one of Whitecaps FC reserves’ 10 matches that season. Tan assisted on Bedri Gashi's consolation goal, as Whitecaps FC reserves fell 2-1 at San Jose Earthquakes reserves in the club's inaugural MLS Reserve League match on Mar. 22. He then scored both goals in Whitecaps FC reserves' 2-2 home draw with LA Galaxy reserves on July 31. Tan scored the winner during a 2-1 home win over Seattle Sounders FC reserves on Aug. 9. The result at Swangard Stadium was Vancouver's first-ever win in the MLS Reserve League.

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION DIVISION-2 PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE:

• 2010: Following trials with MLS expansion club Philadelphia Union and United Soccer Leagues Professional Division outfit FC New York, Tan became a member of FC Tampa Bay (now Tampa Bay Rowdies) for their inaugural season. The striker had his first goal and assist for the Florida club from the penalty spot in a 3-0 away win over Athletic Club of St. Louis on May 22. He then recorded a goal and an assist in a 3-1 home win over NSC Minnesota Stars on May 27. He also found the scoresheet in a 4-2 defeat at Austin Aztex on Aug. 7. FC Tampa Bay missed the USSF D-2 playoffs after finishing bottom of the USL Conference and 10th overall in the league's postseason standings.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE:

• 2011: Tan made a telling contribution to Whitecaps FC Residency’s fourth season the PDL, as he scored five goals in six league appearances that season. The striker made his Residency team debut as a substitute in their 1-1 home draw versus Tacoma Tide on June 3. Two days later, Tan scored a spectacular match winner in the Residency team's 2-1 home win over British Columbia rivals Victoria Highlanders FC on June 5. Tan then found the back of the net during a 2-1 home win over defending PDL champions Portland Timbers U-23's on June 12. He then scored in the 3-1 home win over BC rivals Victoria Highlanders FC on Canada Day (July 1) before scoring twice in a 3-0 away win over Washington Crossfire in the Residency team's PDL season finale on July 24.
• 2009: Tan enjoyed a productive season with PDL club Atlanta Blackhawks after scoring seven goals in 12 appearances. The striker had a second-half hat-trick in a 3-0 home win over Panama City Pirates on May 21 before scoring two goals in the first half of a 2-2 draw at Nashville Metros. Atlanta finished bottom of the PDL's Southern Conference, Southeast Division standings that season.

CHINA:

• 2008: Tan made the jump to the second-tier China League One when he joined Pudong Zobon FC. In 16 appearances, the striker scored six goals for the club that finished 11th in the 13-club China League One standings that season. 2007: Following a spell with the U-18 side of Shanghai United FC, Tan joined Shanghai Seven Stars in China League Two, which is the third tier of Chinese soccer.

INTERNATIONAL:

• U-23: Tan spent time with China's U-23 squad, which hosted the 2008 Men's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing. The striker, however, did not make Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic's final squad for the competition.

HIGH SCHOOL/AMATEUR:
Between 1994 and 2007, Tan played youth soccer for the Zhong Shan school team in his hometown of Dalian, China, before moving to Shanghai, where he played for the U-18 squad of Shanghai United FC.

PERSONAL:
Born and raised in the city of Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province, Tan relocated to the United States in late 2008 and holds permanent residency status (green card) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. He has a Chinese mother named Qin Wang and an American stepfather named David Wells, who is based in Houston, Texas.

INTERESTING FACTS:
Tan is a fan of English Premier League giants Manchester United FC and an admirer of Real Madrid stars Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. A basketball fan, Tan is also an admirer of fellow countryman and Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming, as well as Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. When not concentrating of his professional soccer career, the striker enjoys watching comedic films, shopping for clothes, and listening to hip hop and Chinese music. One of his favourite dishes is steak with vegetables.