The winners of China's Super League for five seasons in a row Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C. have become Asia's first publicly-listed soccer club after the National Equities Exchange and Quotations System, China's New Third Board, approved to list their shares on Friday, Nov. 6.

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South China Morning Post reported that the move is a milestone for Evergrande Real Estate's "loss-making" venture, which is currently implementing fund-raising activities to support the financially ailing club.

An official statement from the team said it plans to become "one of world's top 20" soccer clubs in five years' time and to become "profitable next year." The company issued 375 million shares on the NEEQS at 1 yuan (15.7 US cents) per share.

The historic event came just a week following the team's fifth consecutive conquest of the Chinese Super League, the top tier of football competitions in China, as they beat Shanghai SIPG F.C. by two points in the final count of the league table.

The Tigers have been champions of Chinese top football flight since 2011, outpointing other squads such as Beijing Guoan, Jiangsu Sainty, and Shandong Luneng Taishan for the overall title.

"The listing will help boost sales and lay a solid foundation for the development of young Chinese players," Evengrande chairman Ke Peng told reporters during an interview, according to China Daily. "We have invested huge amounts to help build a professional club with international practices. We will continue to invest in the years ahead."

"We will begin to make profits in 2016," he added.

Evergrande currently employs Brazilian World Cup-winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari as the team's head coach and is featuring a host of Brazil international players such as Elkeson, Ricardo Goulart, Paulinho, and Robinho. Brazilians Alan and Renê Júnior are included in the squad's reserve lineup.

Evergrande president Xu Jiayin and Alibaba chairman Jack Ma graced the listing ceremony in Beijing..

TagsFootball, Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club, Guangzhou Evergrande news