Born in Shanghai, Ye began his football career for amateur club Shanghai Tianna in 2002.[1] After a season, his club was bought by another local side, Shanghai The 9 in China League Two. Thus, Ye became a professional footballer.
Club career
Shanghai The 9
As his first professional team experience, Ye did not contemplate breaking into the first team immediately but looked up to senior players like Ebelio Ordóñez. He always was a substitution player in league matches.
Tai Po
In the 2007–08 season, Tai Po was the finalist of the FA Cup. Ye scored an important goal for the club against South China and brought the club to the final. This is the first time the club has been the finalist in the FA Cup.
Tai Po got 3 straight wins against Tuen Mun Progoal, Sheffield United and Pegasus in the 2008–09 season. As Ye was suspended for the first match, he played as a striker in the next 2 matches, giving 2 assists and a goal for the club. He also scored for the club in the semi-finals of the FA Cup against Kitchee and Tai Po got into the final.
In the 2009–10 season, Ye scored 7 goals in the first 6 matches. Moreover, in the match against Tuen Mun Progoal, he scored 4 goals.