Zhang Chengdong (; ; born 9 February 1989) is a Chinese professional footballer who plays as a right winger or right-back for Qingdao West Coast.
Club career Zhang Chengdong started his football career playing for Liaoning Whowin's youth academy until Serie A side A.C. Milan considered him a promising enough prospect to train with them in 2004. After his short period with the club, he returned to Liaoning and was promoted to the club's first team, making his debut for the club on 21 May 2006 in a 5–0 loss against Shandong Luneng. When the club was relegated in the 2008 season, Zhang's contract was up for renewal; and while he was considered as a long term star for the club, he could not agree upon a suitable contract which he believed was too low.
Without a club, he returned home to train before going to Portugal to advertise his services until third tier side Mafra took him on a free transfer on 23 September 2009. He was quickly integrated into the team; however, it was only once he scored his first hat-trick on 21 January 2010 in a 4–3 loss against Sporting CP in the 2009–10 Taça de Portugal did he become noticed in the club.
Zhang transferred to Primeira Liga side União Leiria in July 2010. He made his debut for the club on 16 August 2010 in a 0–0 draw against Beira-Mar, becoming the first Chinese footballer to play in the Primeira Liga. After his loan spell at the club, he was loaned out again, this time to Beira-Mar. Zhang impressed during his stint at Beira-Mar, scoring six goals in 26 appearances. After the 2011–12 season, Beira-Mar and several top tier sides were reportedly interested in signing Zhang on a permanent transfer. Many top tier Chinese teams wished to sign him as well, but Zhang decided to ply his trade elsewhere. In August 2012, Zhang transferred to 2. Bundesliga side Eintracht Braunschweig. He made his debut for the club on 15 September 2012 in a 1–0 win against SSV Jahn Regensburg.
On 22 July 2013, Zhang transferred to Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan. He made his debut for the club on 25 August 2013 in a 4–0 win against Dalian Aerbin. He scored his first goal for the club on 17 May 2014 in a 2–1 loss to Shanghai Shenxin. On 21 July 2015, Zhang transferred to La Liga side Rayo Vallecano on loan for the 2015–16 season. He made his debut for the club on 5 December 2015 in a 2–0 win against Getafe in the 2015–16 Copa del Rey. He made his league debut on 30 December 2015 in a 2–0 loss against Atlético Madrid, becoming the first Chinese footballer to play in La Liga.
On 13 January 2017, Zhang moved to fellow top-tier side Hebei China Fortune for a record-breaking domestic transfer fee. He made his debut for the club on 5 March 2017 in a 0–0 draw against Henan Jianye. He scored his first goal for the club on 29 April 2017 in a 4–0 win against Tianjin Teda.
On 30 January 2022, Zhang returned to Beijing Guoan.
On 26 January 2025, Zhang joined Chinese Super League club Qingdao West Coast. International career Zhang made his debut for the Chinese national team on 3 March 2010 in a 2–0 loss against Portugal; however, the game was not recognised by FIFA. He made his official debut for China on 6 October 2011 in a 2–1 win against the United Arab Emirates.
Career statistics Club .
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsLiaoning Whowin2006Chinese Super League4100––41200720–––20200831–––31Total9200000092Mafra2009–10Liga de Honra2841300–297União Leiria (loan)2010–11Primeira Liga1420020–162Beira-Mar (loan)2011–12Primeira Liga2660000–266Eintracht Braunschweig (loan)2012–132. Bundesliga12000––120Beijing Guoan2013Chinese Super League8030–00110201424230–4031220158010–60150201622000––220Total6227000100792Rayo Vallecano (loan)2015–16La Liga1030––40Hebei China Fortune2017Chinese Super League28320––303201824421––265201929000––290202013100––131202112000––120Total10684100001109Beijing Guoan2022Chinese Super League21010––220Career total279241642010030728
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsChina201140201200201300201490201580201620201700201860201930Total320
References
External links
Player stats at sohu.com