Zhou Ting

Zhou Ting (born 5 February 1979) is a Chinese former professional footballer who played as a full-back or midfielder.

His playing career would see him win the 2009 Chinese Super League title with Beijing Guoan while he also represented Shenzhen Kinspar, Yunnan Hongta, Qingdao Hainiu, Shenzhen Jianlibao and Dalian Professional throughout his career. Within his career he would achieve the distinction for being the oldest player to score a goal (39 years and 208 days), and as the oldest appearing player (40 years and 299 days) within professional Chinese Super League history. His reputation as a tough tackler throughout his career also saw him being the first player to receive 100 yellow cards in the Chinese first-tier league history.

Club career
Zhou Ting joined Chinese Jia-A League side Dalian Wanda youth team in 1994. He started his senior career in 1997 when he was loaned to second-tier club Shenzhen Kinspar with the appreciation of team manager Gai Zengjun. On 19 July 1997, he made his senior debut in a 3–3 home draw against Shenyang Haishi. He played six league matches in the 1997 season and returned to Dalian Wanda in 1998. Zhou was expelled by team manager Xu Genbao after 1998 Far East Club Championship in February 1998. He joined Jia-A League club Qianwei Huandao in the summer 1998 but left the club several months later due to the unfulfillment of pledged conditions.

In 1999, Zhou agreed to joined Chinese Jia-B League side Xiamen which was coached by former Dalian Wanda manager Chi Shangbin. However, he was picked by another second-tier club Yunnan Hongta in advance in 1999 Chinese Football League Transfer Draft. He swifted his position from attacking midfielder to left-back and quickly established himself within the team, playing in 17 games within his debut season as Yunnan won promotion to the first-tier. He stayed with Yunnan Hongta until the 2003 season.

Zhou signed a pre-contract with Chinese Super League side Qingdao Etsong Hainiu in December 2003 after Yunnan Hongta accepted a transfer fee of ¥6 million. However, after Yunnan Hongta was sold and merger with Chongqing Lifan, Qingdao Etsong Hainiu successfully reduced his transfer fee to ¥2.8 million on 17 January 2004. Zhou was named in the transfer list at the end of 2004 season after Jonoon Group took charge the club. He transferred to Super League defence champion Shenzhen Jianlibao in January 2005.

After a chaos season with Shenzhen, Zhou moved to Beijing Guoan in January 2006. He established himself as a regular team member and went on to aid Beijing in winning the 2009 Chinese Super League title. On 26 October 2014, he was booked by offending the referee in a 1–0 away win over Guangzhou Evergrande, making him the first player to receive 100 yellow cards in the Chinese first-tier league. On 10 May 2015, he claimed a goal against Changchun Yatai to set the record of the oldest native player to score in the Chinese Super League at 36 years and 94 days.

On 13 February 2017, Zhou transferred to his hometown club Dalian Yifang in the China League One. On 11 March 2017, he made his debut for the club in a 2–0 away win over Meizhou Hakka. He scored his first goal for Dalian on 12 August 2017, in a 1–1 away draw to Wuhan Zall. He quickly established himself within the team's defence, scoring two goals in 25 appearances, and helped win the division championship to promoted back to the Chinese Super League with the club. On 1 September 2018, Zhou scored in a 4–3 win against Shandong Luneng Taishan, overtaking Festus Baise as the Chinese first-tier league's oldest scoring player at 39 years and 208 days. On 23 November 2019, he broke the record of the oldest appearing player at 40 years and 291 days, which was previous held by Rolando Schiavi since 2013. On 1 December 2019, Zhou renewed his record to 40 years and 299 days. At the end of the 2020 Chinese Super League, Zhou would retire when his contract with the club came to an end.

International career
Due to his versatility to play on either flanks, Zhou Ting was called up to the senior national team in a friendly against Chile on August 20, 2003 in a 0-0 draw. Under the Chinese head coach Arie Haan, Zhou Ting would become a regular member within the team and would be included in the squads that participated in the 2003 East Asian Football Championship, FIFA World Cup qualification and the squad that came runners-up in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup.

Club statistics
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Club
Beijing Guoan
 * Chinese Super League: 2009

Dalian Yifang
 * China League One: 2017