Zhang started his career playing for the Guangdong youth football team before being promoted to the team's senior squad in the 1983 league season. After establishing himself as a regular within the team, he was called up to the Chinese national team and played within the 1988 Olympics. While China had a disappointing tournament after being knocked out in the group stages, Zhang was still called up to represent China as he played within the 1988 Asian Cup, where they finished fourth.[1]