On April 29, 2021, the Chinese soccer world lost a superstar when former national team captain Zhang Enhua sadly passed away. On this day, just one day short of his birth date of April 28, 1973, he had just celebrated his 48th birthday with a heartwarming birthday celebration in the presence of his family and friends.
According to informed sources attending the celebration, Zhang Enhua appeared hale and hearty the day before he passed away, and was shocked and overwhelmed with emotion when he learned of the unfortunate news only the next day through social media.
Dalian People Professional Football Club released a message through the official microblogging, sadly announcing that Zhang Enhua, the legendary captain in the history of Dalian soccer, has unfortunately passed away due to a reason.
This sad news has caused a great deal of grief. Zhang Enhua had led Dalian to win 7 top league championships, he was not only the solid cornerstone of the team's backline, but also a spiritual symbol in the history of Dalian soccer. On such a day, we can only send the following message: "In life, the wind and righteousness and teacher and friend, in the next life, the fate of the brotherhood. Blackie, good luck."
Zhang Enhua, born in 1973 in Dalian, Liaoning Province, is affectionately known as "Blackie" for his outstanding physical fitness and tough fighting spirit. He spent most of his career in Dalian, where he played as a defender for Dalian Shide and captained the Chinese national team.
Zhang Enhua is a key contributor to Dalian's "Seven Crowns" and many cup championships. He has been active in all phases of Chinese men's soccer since he was a junior, and has been a member of the Chinese men's soccer team from the National Junior League, National Youth League, National Olympic Team to the National Team, and a member of the Chinese team for the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. He made 67 appearances for the national team and scored 6 goals.
Zhang Enhua has spent most of his 48-year career in Dalian and has been a key figure in Dalian's multiple league and cup wins. He has been a regular in the Chinese men's soccer team since his national youth days, representing all levels of the national team, from national youth, national youth, national Olympics to the national team, and was also a member of the Chinese men's soccer team's Chinese squad for the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.
In addition to playing in the top domestic leagues, Zhang Enhua also had the experience of staying in the United Kingdom, where he traveled in January 1998 to participate in a trial, and on November 26, 2000, he signed a four-month loan contract with Grimsby of the English League One (now the Championship). On December 16, 2000, Zhang Enhua made his debut for Grimsby in the 23rd round of the Championship at home against Norwich, and helped the team beat their opponents by two goals, ending a seven-game winless streak.On April 1, 2001, Zhang Enhua returned to Dalian, where he continued to play in domestic professional leagues. During his time at Grimsby, Zhang made 17 appearances, scoring three goals and was twice named Man of the Match.
On December 12, 2016, Shenzhen Jiazhaoye Football Club announced the hiring of Mr. Zhang Enhua as the leader and Chinese coach to assist the head coach Mr. Eriksson in leading the team.At the end of 2017, Zhang Enhua stepped down from his position as the leader.
Zhang Enhua also briefly coached Chinese B team Guangxi Bao Yun in 2020.
