China’s Zhang Yuning plays first club game in 580 days as he looks to get career back on track with Ado Den Haag in Eredivisie
- Striker hits the post in 13-minute debut cameo for on-loan side in the Netherlands
- Did not play at all last season on loan at Werder Bremen from English club West Bromwich Albion
He’s regarded as one of Chinese football’s greatest hopes but striker Zhang Yuning had not played competitive club football for 19 months before he was told to get off the Ado Den Haag bench on Saturday.
His substitute appearance ended a 580-day wait for club football action and he impressed in his 13 minutes on the pitch against FC Zwolle, hitting the post with one shot in a 3-2 win that leaves Den Haag 10th on the 18-team table.
The cameo marked his debut for the club where he is on loan from English side West Bromwich Albion.
The striker last played for Vitesse Arnhem in the Eredivisie 19 months ago.
The 21-year-old is the highest profile Chinese player playing overseas and the only one in a European top division.
However, last season was a write-off for the former Hangzhou Greentown youngster.
On loan at German club Werder Bremen, Zhang did not see any competitive action for the Bundesliga side in a season pockmarked by injuries and international call-ups with China’s under-23s.