Wang Yudong

Wang Yudong (born 23 November 2006) is a Chinese professional footballer who plays as a striker for Chinese Super League club Zhejiang.

Early life
Born in Dayan Town in the Fenghua District of Ningbo on 23 November 2006, Wang Yudong moved to Shenzhen at a young age, as his father had done business there, being educated at Shenzhen Dongfang Primary School. To help with Wang Yudong's development in football, his father built him a football pitch in Shenzhen, and formed an amateur football club. After moving back to Zhejiang, his home province, he first joined the Shanghai Shenrui, then moved to the Zhejiang Ostrich youth academy. In 2021, he joined Ningbo Sports School to play in the Ningbo Football Super League.

Club career
In 2021, Wang Yudong started training with the Zhejiang FA youth team, a feeder team to Zhejiang.

On 20 July 2023, he signed his first professional contract at Zhejiang, joining the first-team with immediate effect. Five days later on 25 July, he made his senior debut for Zhejiang, coming on as a substitute for Yue Xin in a 5–1 loss to Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese FA Cup. Wang made his Chinese Super League debut a month later on 26 August, coming on for the final six minutes in a 3–0 win over Dalian Pro.

On 20 September, he came on to make his AFC Champions League debut in a 4–1 away defeat to Buriram United, becoming the youngest Chinese footballer to ever make an appearance in the competition. On 29 October 2023, he made his first goal contribution for Zhejiang, in a league game against Cangzhou Mighty Lions, providing an assist for Ji Shengpan to seal the victory for the club at 6–1. On 26 February 2024, he was awarded the 2023 Chinese Golden Boy award for the under-17 level.

International career
Wang Yudong had first been involved in China youth teams in 2019, when he was selected for a China U12 squad. He later captained in the U14 level, and later on featured in U16 squads as early as 2021.

In 2022, he was selected for 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification matches with the China under-17 national team, where he scored eight goals in three games, gaining qualification into the final tournament.

On 3 June 2023, he was named in the final squad for the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. In the Asian Cup, Wang Yudong scored a double against Australia, and another goal against Tajikistan.

On 26 December 2023, Wang Yudong made his debut for the China under-23 national team in a friendly against Malaysia, aged 17. Three months later on 5 April 2024, Wang was included in the China U23 squad for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.

Personal life
In 2022, Wang Yudong claimed in an interview that he is a fan of Neymar's playing style.

Honours
Individual
 * Chinese Golden Boy (U17): 2023