Brighton & Hove Albion announce departure of defender Li Mengwen | OneFootball

Brighton & Hove Albion have announced the news that defender Li Mengwen is leaving the club this summer.

WSL Full-Time were informed of the player’s departure via an official club press release from The Seagulls this afternoon.

The 30-year-old was under contract with Brighton & Hove Albion going into next season, however, both parties have agreed to a mutual termination of the deal ahead of schedule.

Li joined Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer 2023 transfer window after leaving former club Paris Saint-Germain. The Chinese international defender went on to make 15 appearances for The Seagulls in all competitions. Li spent the 2024/2025 campaign on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion’s Barclays Women’s Super League rivals West Ham United.

The player has spent the vast majority of her senior playing career in her native China. While Li’s next career move is not yet known, it would be no surprise to see the defender playing her football closer to home next season.

Li is the sixth first team player to leave Brighton & Hove Albion this summer. Poppy Pattinson, Maria Thorisdóttir, Guro Bergsvand, Dejana Stefanović and Pauline Bremer are also moving on. In addition, Brighton & Hove Albion have opted to part ways with youngsters Comfort Erhabor and Chelsea Ferguson.