Zhang Chengdong
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Zhang Chengdong | ||
| Date of birth | 9 February 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Baoding, Hebei, China | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Playing position | Striker / Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Beijing Guoan | ||
| Number | 68 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Liaoning Guangyuan | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2006–2008 | Liaoning Whowin | 9 | (0) |
| 2009–2013 | Mafra | 29 | (7) |
| 2010–2011 | → União Leiria (loan) | 14 | (2) |
| 2011–2012 | → Beira-Mar (loan) | 26 | (6) |
| 2012–2013 | → Eintracht Braunschweig (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| 2013– | Beijing Guoan | 8 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2010– | China | 5 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 November 2013. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Zhang Chengdong (simplified Chinese: 张呈栋; traditional Chinese: 張呈棟; pinyin: Zhāng Chéngdòng; born 9 February 1989 in Baoding, Hebei) is a Chinese footballer who currently plays for Beijing Guoan in the Chinese Super League.
Club career
Zhang Chengdong began his football career playing for various Liaoning youth teams until A.C. Milan considered him a promising enough prospect to train with them in 2004.[1] After his short period with the Italian side, he would return to China to be promoted to Liaoning Whowin's reserve team, which was called Liaoning Guangyuan before he graduated to Liaoning's senior side where he would make his league debut against Shandong Luneng on 21 May 2006 in a 5-0 defeat.[2] Despite the defeat, Zhang would get further opportunities, however he was often used as a substitute throughout his career with them. When the club were relegated in the 2008 season, Zhang's contract was up for renewal and while he was considered as a long term star within the team, he could not agree upon a suitable contract, which he believed was too low.
Without a club, he would return home to Hebei to train before going to Portugal to advertise his services until third tier side C.D. Mafra took him on a free transfer on 23 September 2009.[3] He was quickly integrated into the team, however it was only once he scored his first hat-trick against Sporting CP in the Taça de Portugal in a 4-3 defeat did he become noticed within the team.[4]
Zhang transferred to Portuguese Liga side U.D. Leiria in July 2010. He made his debut on 16 August 2010 after coming on as a substitute in the 81st minute against Beira-Mar. In doing so, Zhang became the first Chinese player to play in a Portuguese Liga match. After his loan spell to U.D. Leiria, he was loaned out again, this time to Beira-Mar. Zhang impressed during his stint at Beira-Mar, scoring six goals in twenty-six appearances. After the 2011-12 season, Beira-Mar and several La Liga teams were reportedly interested in signing Zhang on a permanent transfer. Many Chinese Super League teams wished to sign him as well, but Zhang decided to ply his trade elsewhere. Zhang transferred to Eintracht Braunschweig of the 2. Bundesliga in August 2012. He came off the bench in his debut against SSV Jahn Regensburg on 15 September 2012.
Zhang was signed by Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan on 22 July 2013. He made his debut as a substitute on 25 August 2013 in a 4-0 home win against Dalian Aerbin. In his first season with Beijing, Zhang was mainly played as a defender instead of his usual position as a striker.
International career
Zhang was called up by Gao Hongbo and made his first appearance for the Chinese national team on 3 March 2010 in a friendly match against Portugal.[5]
References
- ↑ "揭秘张呈栋：出身米兰青训体系 被霸王合同逼至无球踢". sports.sina.com.cn. 2010-01-21. Retrieved 2012-09-18. (Chinese)
- ↑ "大羽回家发威独中四元 山东鲁能5-0血洗辽足 评". sports.sohu.com. 2006-05-21. Retrieved 2012-09-18. (Chinese)
- ↑ "国青前锋加盟葡萄牙球队 他被看做是中国最有前途新星". news.xinmin.cn. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2012-09-18. (Chinese)
- ↑ "葡杯-中国边锋帽子戏法 葡乙队客场3-4里斯本竞技". sports.sina.com.cn. 2010-01-21. Retrieved 2012-09-18. (Chinese)
- ↑ "热身赛0-2不敌葡萄牙队 中国国足表现可圈可点". sports.sohu.com. 2010-03-05. Retrieved 2012-09-18. (Chinese)
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