While Li Yan started his football career at second tier side Shanghai HSBC, it was his move to Shanghai Pudong that saw his football career flourish when he would go on to establish himself as an integral member within the team that would go on to win the second division title and receive promotion to the top tier.
During this period Li Yan established himself as useful attacking midfielder and caught the eye of New Zealand Knights FC in 2006, however his move was to prove an unsuccessful one and he only played in two league games.
[4] Li Yan would make his debut in a friendly against Republic of Ireland March 29, 2005 in a 1–0 defeat.
[5] He would go on to establish himself as a squad regular within the team and score his first goal against Korea DPR in a 2–0 win.
[6] Li Yan, however did not make it into the squad that went to the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and after the tournament saw very little international playing time.