Zhang Yuan (footballer, born 1997)

Zhang Yuan (born 28 January 1997) is a Chinese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan.

Early career
Zhang Yuan joined Dalian Aerbin's youth academy in 2013 after Dalian Shide dissolved. He was loaned to Portuguese side Mafra in the summer of 2013 and joined Loures in 2015. Zhang was promoted to Loures's first team squad in July 2016. He made his senior debut on 4 December 2016 in a 2–0 away win over Atlético CP, coming on as a substitute for Ivo Miranda in the 80th minute. He played four league matches for Loures in the 2016–17 season.

Tianjin Quanjian and loan spell
Zhang transferred to Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian in July 2017. On 10 September 2017, he made his debut for Tianjin Quanjian in a 3–1 home win over Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng, coming on for Wang Yongpo in the 76th minute when Tianjin was leading 3–0.

On 26 February 2018, Zhang was loaned to fellow Super League side Guizhou Hengfeng for one season. On 11 March 2018, he made his debut for the club in a 3–2 home defeat against Hebei China Fortune, replacing Min Junlin in the 88th minute. On 25 April 2018, he scored his first senior goal in a 2–1 away win over Heilongjiang Lava Spring in the 4th round of 2018 Chinese FA Cup.

Shenzhen FC
In July 2020, Zhang was one of eight former Tianjin Tianhai players to sign with Shenzhen FC after the former club disbanded. He would go on to make his debut on 26 July 2020 in a league game against Guangzhou R&F in a 3-0 victory. His first Shenzhen and Super League goal – a 90th minute game-winning goal – came on 18 July 2021 in a 2–1 victory against Cangzhou Mighty Lions.

Zhang stayed at Shenzhen for three and a half seasons. In his last match for the team on 22 July 2023 against Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, he captained the team and led the team to a 3–3 draw. Reports indicate that Shenzhen had not paid its players their wages for over 15 months, and players received only a half-month's worth of wages ahead of the Tianjin game. Zhang Yuan's contract was terminated in July 2023 after mediation, and he left the club with 76 appearances, in which he scored 5 goals and assisted 4 times. Shenzhen FC disbanded in January 2024, citing financial insolvency.

Beijing Guoan
On 30 July 2023, Zhang joined fellow Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan. Zhang had said that it was his dream to play for a major club like Guoan. He debuted for the club on 9 August 2023, coming on as an substitute in the Super League home match against Tianjin Jinmen Tiger. However, Zhang failed to obtain a starting position during his first season at Guoan as the team had a number of talent in midfield, playing only 2 times. Zhang's squad status was elevated in the 2024 season, and he garnered his first start at Guoan in the headline match against old rivals Shanghai Shenhua on 4 April 2024, playing 79 minutes before being replaced in the 1–1 draw. His fortune turned again, however, when he played against Tianjin on 30 April, he was sent off after just 15 minutes. 4 matchdays later, Zhang gave away a penalty in the 96th minute against Changchun Yatai that resulted in a 2–3 Guoan lost and received widespread criticism from fans. Zhang's fortune turned when he replaced Li Ke in a home win against Tianjin on 21 July 2024. He played was involved with the build up of both goals and his first goal for the club in the 98th minute of the game. In the post-game interview, he described the goal as giving him a "new start [and a] new life."

Career statistics
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