Zhang Chengdong
Encyclopedia
Zhang Chengdong is a Chinese
footballer who currently plays for Portuguese Liga
side S.C. Beira-Mar.
considered him a promising enough prospect to train with them in 2004. After his short period with the Italian side he would return to China to be promoted to Liaoning FC's reserve team, which was called Liaoning Guangyuan FC
before he graduated to Liaoning FC's senior side where he would make his league debut against Shandong Luneng
on May 21, 2006 in a 5-0 defeat. 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 league 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 September 23, 2009. He was quickly integrated into the team, however it was only once he scored his first hat-trick against Sporting CP in the 2009–10 Taça de Portugal
in a 4-3 defeat did he become noticed within the team.
Zhang transferred to Portuguese Liga
side U.D. Leiria in July 2010. He made his debut on August 16, 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.
on 3 March 2010, in a friendly match against Portugal
.
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
footballer who currently plays for Portuguese Liga
Portuguese Liga
The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
side S.C. Beira-Mar.
Club career
Zhang Chengdong began his football career playing for the various Liaoning FC youth teams until A.C. MilanA.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
considered him a promising enough prospect to train with them in 2004. After his short period with the Italian side he would return to China to be promoted to Liaoning FC's reserve team, which was called Liaoning Guangyuan FC
Liaoning Guangyuan FC
Liaoning Guangyuan Football Club is a Chinese professional soccer club which played in Singapore's S.League as a foreign team in the 2007 season. The club was a satellite team of the Chinese Super League club Liaoning FC. Players from Liaoning's youth teams made up the majority of Liaoning...
before he graduated to Liaoning FC's senior side where he would make his league debut against Shandong Luneng
Shandong Luneng
Shandong Luneng Taishan is a Chinese Super League football club owned by Shandong Luneng Group, the biggest supplier of electric energy in Shandong province. They play at the Shandong Stadium in Jinan, Shandong. The predecessor of Shandong Luneng Taishan was the Shandong Provincial team organised...
on May 21, 2006 in a 5-0 defeat. 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 league season
Chinese Super League 2008
The 2008 Chinese Super League was the 5th season since the establishment of the Chinese Super League and the 15th season of the professional football league in China. Super League was expanded to 16 clubs...
, 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
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
to advertise his services until third tier side C.D. Mafra
C.D. Mafra
Clube Desportivo Mafra is a football club currently playing in the Portuguese Second Division. They are based in the town of Mafra and play in the Campo Doutor Mário Silveira stadium...
took him on a free transfer on September 23, 2009. He was quickly integrated into the team, however it was only once he scored his first hat-trick against Sporting CP in the 2009–10 Taça de Portugal
2009–10 Taça de Portugal
The 2009–10 Taça de Portugal was the 70th season of the Taça de Portugal. The competition began on 30 August 2009, with the first round matches, and concluded with the final, held on 16 May at the Estádio Nacional, in Oeiras, between defending champions Porto and then Liga de Honra team Chaves...
in a 4-3 defeat did he become noticed within the team.
Zhang transferred to Portuguese Liga
Portuguese Liga
The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system...
side U.D. Leiria in July 2010. He made his debut on August 16, 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.
International career
Zhang made his first appearance for the China national football teamChina national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
on 3 March 2010, in a friendly match against Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
.