Zhang Yalin (simplified Chinese: 张亚林; traditional Chinese: 張亞林; pinyin: Zhāng Yàlín; 19 April 1981 – 14 February 2010) was a Chinese football midfielder.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Zhang Yalin | ||
| Date of birth | (1981-04-19)19 April 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Dalian, Liaoning, China | ||
| Date of death | 14 February 2010(2010-02-14) (aged 28) | ||
| Place of death | Dalian, Liaoning, China | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1990–1997 | Dalian Wanda FC | ||
| 1997–1999 | Dalian Yiteng | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2009 | Dalian Shide F.C. | 103 | (1) |
| National team | |||
| 2003–2004 | China U-23 | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Zhang Yalin started his football career in the 2000 Chinese league season for Dalian Shide F.C. and would quickly establish himself within the team that won the league title.[1] From then on he would become a vital member of the team and by 2003 he was selected to the China national under-23 football team but was injured in training, which ruled him out from any tournament.[2] By 2006 in his personal life he married Jia Nini (贾妮妮), a Chinese model and actress.[3] They named their daughter, who was born 12 July 2007, Zhang Shijia (张诗伽).[4]
On 14 February 2010, Zhang died of lymphoma in Dalian, aged 28, after two years with the disease.[5]
Since his death, his shirt number of 26 has been retired in his honour by Dalian Shide.[6]
Chinese Super League
Chinese Jia-A League
Chinese Super Cup
Chinese FA Cup
Asian Cup Winners' Cup