Zhang Linpeng

Zhang Linpeng would play as a youngster for the Genbao Football Academy before he graduated to the Shanghai East Asia's first team at the beginning of the 2006 league season. With the club in the third tier, Zhang quickly made an impression within the team when he was part of the squad that won promotion to the second tier at the end of the 2007 league season. Within the second tier, Zhang played a major part in ensuring the club remained in the division and by the 2009 season, the club finished fourth and just missed out on promotion. His performance for his club then saw him receive an unexpected call-up to the Chinese national team where he impressed many by scoring on his debut against Jordan, and he became one of the most sought-after players in China.

Guangzhou Evergrande

In November 2010, Zhang joined Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande for a fee of ¥12 million. He made his debut for the club on 2 April 2011 in a 1–0 win against Dalian Shide. Throughout the season, Zhang was used as a squad player as Guangzhou won their first ever league title at the end of the 2012 season. He soon established himself as a mainstay in the team's backline during the 2013 season, leading the club to a third straight league title as well as an AFC Champions League title, the first in the club's history. During preseason before the 2015 season, Zhang sustained a medial accessory ligament tear on his left knee joint on 7 February 2015 in a friendly match against…

Zhang worked his way up through various youth levels, first by playing for the Chinese under-20 national team in the 2008 AFC U-19 Championship where he captained the team to the quarter-finals. This saw him promoted to the Chinese under-23 national team to play in the 2009 East Asian Games where China disappointingly were knocked out in the group stage.

Senior

Despite the under-23 national team's failures, Zhang's performances were considered good enough for then manager Gao Hongbo to unexpectedly call him up to the national team even though he was playing for a second-tier side. He made an impressive international debut on 30 December 2009 in a 2–2 draw against Jordan, scoring on his debut as well. After his debut, Zhang was called up to the squad that won the 2010 East Asian Football Championship before establishing himself as a regular for the team that took part in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Zhang played in all three of China's matches at the 2011 Asian Cup, scoring in the team's 2–0 win over Kuwait. He also started in all four of China's matches at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, where the team reached the quarter-finals, losing to hosts and eventual winners Australia in Brisbane. Zhang appeared at his third AFC Asian Cup in 2019 and played the full 90 minutes in all of the team's first four matches. However, he was suspended for the quarter-final against Iran, which China lost 3–0. On 21 November 2023, Zhang made his 100th appearance for the national team in a 3-0…

Club

As of 25 April 2025

International

As of 16 June 2023 Scores and results list China's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zhang goal.

Zhang is of Hui ethnicity and was known to be rebellious in his youth. He married his girlfriend Wang Qiaozhi on 21 May 2011 and their son was born on 1 September 2014.