Zhang Yingkai (; born 28 February 2004) is a Chinese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Chinese Super League club Chongqing Tonglianglong.
Early life and youth career Zhang became interested in football at the age of 5 after watching Shandong Taishan player Guo Tianyu play. He chose to attend Jinan Dianliu No. 1 Primary School to pursue football training, where he was selected by coach Zhang Tao to join the Shandong Taishan youth academy.
Club career
Shandong Taishan In 2022, Zhang represented Shandong Taishan in the AFC Champions League, playing as a starting defender in all 6 group stage matches. In the 2023 season, he helped Shandong Taishan U21 team win the Chinese Football Association U-21 League championship and was selected to the tournament's Best XI. In the 2024 season, he played for Shandong Taishan B team in China League Two, making 20 appearances with 15 starts.
Chongqing Tonglianglong On 27 January 2025, Chongqing Tonglianglong officially announced the signing of Zhang from Shandong Taishan. The transfer fee was reported to be approximately 199,000 euros (about 1.5 million RMB). He was assigned the number 3 jersey.
In the 2025 China League One season, Zhang made 25 appearances with 16 starts, scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist. On 12 April 2025, in the 4th round match against Shaanxi Union, he provided an assist from the left flank for Xiang Yuwang's opening goal in a 2–1 victory. On 3 May 2025, in the 7th round match against Dingnan Ganlian, he scored a long-range goal to open the scoring in a 2–1 victory.
In the 2025 season, Chongqing Tonglianglong earned promotion to the Chinese Super League.
In the 2026 Chinese Super League season, Zhang made his debut in the opening round on 7 March 2026, starting in a 0–0 away draw against Tianjin Jinmen Tiger. He was substituted in the 89th minute.
International career In May 2018, Zhang was first called up to the China U14 national team as a starting centre-back for the Shandong Luneng 2004 age group.
On 28 May 2026, Zhang was named in the China U23 national team training squad for warm-up matches against Tajikistan U23 in preparation for the 2026 Asian Games. On 9 June 2026, he started in the U23 national team's 3–0 victory over Tajikistan U23 in Guiyang.
Career statistics
Club
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsShandong Taishan2022Chinese Super League000060—60Shandong Taishan B2024China League Two21000——210Chongqing Tonglianglong2025China League One25100——251Chongqing Tonglianglong2026Chinese Super League16000——160Career total621006000681
Honours Shandong Taishan U21
Chinese Football Association U-21 League: 2023
References
External links