On April 29, 2021, a heartbreaking news spread all over the network: Zhang Enhua, the former captain of the national football team, unfortunately passed away. This day, coinciding with his 48th birthday, and the night before he also gathered with friends and family to celebrate the joy of the birthday still seems to linger in the ears.
According to a person who attended the birthday banquet, Zhang Enhua was hale and hearty the day before he passed away, and incredibly, he passed away just one night later. Netizens took to Weibo to express their shock at the news.
A screenshot of Zhang Enhua's last circle of friends still shows his optimistic figure.
The @DalianProFootballSalon posted this on Twitter:
"On April 29, 2021, Zhang Enhua, the legendary captain in the history of Dalian soccer, passed away. The loss of a great talent is a sad one. Zhang Enhua had led the Dalian team to win 7 top league championships, he was not only the pillar of the team's backline, but also the spiritual leader of Dalian soccer. On the night of the full moon, people scattered to the end of the world, the wind and righteousness of life and teacher and friend, the fate of the next life is to form a brotherhood. Blackie, good luck."
Born on April 28, 1973 in Dalian, Liaoning Province, Zhang Enhua is a physically gifted player affectionately known as "Blackie". He is a defender who has played for and captained the Dalian Shide and national teams.
Zhang Enhua is an important contributor to Dalian's "Seven Crowns" and many cup championships. He has been a regular player in China's men's soccer team since he was a junior, representing all levels of the national team, from the national youth, national youth, national Olympics to the national soccer team, and was also a member of China's men's soccer team in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. Zhang Enhua made 67 appearances for the national team, scoring 6 goals.
Zhang Enhua has spent most of his career in Dalian, and was a key contributor to Dalian's seven league titles and many cups. He has been a regular player in China's men's soccer team since he was a junior, representing all levels of the national team, from the national youth, national youth, national Olympic team to the national soccer team, and was also a member of China's men's soccer team that played in the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.
In addition to the top flight of Chinese soccer, Zhang Enhua has also had experience in the international arena; in January 1998, he went to England on a trial basis, and on November 26, 2000, he signed a four-month contract with League One (now Championship) side Grimsby. On December 16, 2000, Zhang Enhua made his debut for Grimsby in the 23rd round of the Championship when they hosted Norwich, helping Grimsby to a two-goal victory and ending a seven-game winless streak. on April 1, 2001, Zhang returned to Dalian to continue playing in the professional league in China. During his time at Grimsby, Zhang made 17 appearances for the team, scoring three goals and was named Man of the Match on two occasions.
On December 12, 2016, Shenzhen Jiazhaoye Football Salon released an announcement, hiring Mr. Zhang Enhua as the leader and Chinese coach of Shenzhen Jiazhaoye, assisting the head coach Mr. Eriksson to lead the team.At the end of 2017, Zhang Enhua stepped down from his position as the leader of the team.
In 2020, Zhang Enhua also coached Chinese B team Guangxi Bao Yun.
