Zhang began his career within the Dalian Sports Training Class youth football team beginning in 1964 and would continue until 1970 as in the following season, he began playing for his home club of
Liaoning. In 1977, he began playing for the
Shenyang Army Football Team and was part of the winning squad for the
1977 National Football Championship before retiring the following season. He later returned to the club in 1980 to serve as the manager that season. He later served as manager of the China youth team for a few years. ==International career==