Yan would establish himself as a vital member of the team throughout the 2013 Chinese Super League campaign as the club finished in ninth while also gaining significant investment from Shanghai International Port.

On 29 October 2023, Yan won his second league title with Shanghai Port after a 1-1 home draw against direct competitor Shandong Taishan.

In January 2015, Yan was a member of China's squad for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, where he served as back-up for first choice goalkeeper Wang Dalei.

[7] After China's failure to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, manager Marcello Lippi decided to let Yan replace Zeng Cheng as the national team's first choice goalkeeper for the next 4-year cycle.

Yan played all five matches at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates as China reached the quarter-finals where they lost 3–0 to Iran.