Today, Zhejiang Football Salon welcomes a powerful new recruit - former Sichuan Jiuniu player Zhang Jiaqi. Zhang Jiaqi, who arrived at the team during the winter training in Kunming, has quickly integrated into the new group after two stages of training.
Zhang Jiaqi, from Shenyang, Liaoning Province, is a flexible player who can play both as a back and center back. In his early years, he went to France to study, and he had a bright performance in the youth training, reserve team and first team of Le Mans. Since 2014, Zhang Jiaqi has been selected for the national team several times. After returning to China, Zhang Jiaqi played for Dalian Albin, Guangzhou Evergrande, Qingdao Yellow Sea, etc. In the 2020 season, Zhang Jiaqi officially joined Sichuan Jiuniu.
In the 2021 season, Zhang Jiaqi made a total of 27 appearances in Sichuan Jiuniu, starting 23 times and scoring 4 goals, becoming the team's main back. His strong defensive ability helped the team finish eighth in the Central League with the second lowest number of goals conceded in the league. In the midfield, Zhang Jiaqi is known for his excellent physical confrontation and defensive intensity, contributing 5.1 tackles and 22 scrambles per game, with a success rate of 61%, and 64% in the air. He was the player with the highest average number of scrambles in the Central League last season, and will undoubtedly greatly enhance the team's defensive strength after joining Zhejiang.
Talking about the reasons for joining Zhejiang, Zhang Jiaqi said: "Zhejiang has left a deep impression on me, it is a dynamic team with strong strength, the club has a good reputation in China, professional management, and has developed many young talents. I have full confidence in the club and the team. One of the major reasons that attracted me to join the team is that Zhejiang has successfully reached the Super League, and I have been looking forward to showing myself in the top league. I also hope to realize the team's Super League dream with the help of Zhejiang."
Zhang Jiaqi, who has played against Zhejiang many times over the past few years, said, "Zhejiang is a dynamic young team with players who have excellent footwork and unity on the field, an opponent many teams would rather not meet."
In Zhejiang, Zhang Jiaqi is an experienced player who has a clear and distinct position for himself, which is to make every effort to make up for the team's shortcomings. "As a defensive back, I will put defense in the first place and play my role to help the team consolidate its defensive foundation."
In the Zhejiang team, Zhang Jiaqi met a lot of old acquaintances, including Qiao Di, his head coach during his time in Yellow Sea, as well as Rong Hao, Gao Di, Gu Chao and Yue Xin. Despite the change in environment, he said, "It's a new environment, but everyone cares about me and I will try to adapt and play my role."
