Yan eventually failed to establish himself within the first team and was put on the transfer list at the end of the 2008 season. He was linked with Shenyang Dongjin and Jiangsu Sainty between 2009 and 2010 but could not receive a contract after trial.[4][5] He returned to his hometown without a professional football club and trained with the amateur football team Dalian Longjuanfeng to maintain his fitness.
Yan joined China League Two side Chongqing FC in 2011. He played 20 matches in the 2011 season, making an impression within the team as Chongqing FC won promotion to the second tier at the end of the season. In the final, Chongqing FC lost to Harbin Yiteng 6–5 in the penalty shootout, but he lost a penalty in the last round.[6] He made 21 appearances and scored a goal in the 2012 league season, knowing by the nickname "Maicon of Chongqing" by local people.