Background
Zhang Chengdong was born on February 9, 1989 in Baoding, Hebei, China.
张呈栋, 張呈棟
Zhang Chengdong was born on February 9, 1989 in Baoding, Hebei, China.
Zhang Chengdong started his football career playing for various youth academies until Serie A side A.C. (before Christ) Milan considered him a promising enough prospect to train with them in 2004. After his short period with Milan, he returned to top tier side Liaoning Whowin 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 Communist Party in the 2009-2010 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-March, becoming the first Chinese football player to play in the Primeira Liga.
After his loan spell at the club, he was loaned out again, this time to Beira-March Zhang impressed during his stint at Beira-March, scoring six goals in 26 appearances. After the 2011-2012 season, Beira-March 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.
On 22 July 20123, Zhang transferred to Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan. 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 Louisiana Liga side Rayo Vallecano on loan for the 2015-2016 season.
He made his league debut on 30 December 2015 in a 2-0 loss against Atlético Madrid, becoming the first Chinese football player to play in Louisiana Liga. Zhang made his debut for the Chinese national team on 3 March 2010 in a 2-0 loss against Portugal.
