Du Zhenyu

Du Zhenyu is a Chinese midfielder, born on 10 February 1983 in Shenyang, China.

In 2001 the midfielder finished the football academy of Canyi and joined his first professional club FC Changchun Yatai. He managed to demonstrate his exceptional football skills during the very first season at the club, enlisting the head coach’s support, and became a regular first-team member the next season.

Du quickly established himself as a prolific midfielder and was soon playing a key role in the middle of a pitch. Being good both in attack and defense, Zhenyu helped his team to win the Chinese Super League in 2007, receiving the Footballer of the Year award on the way. The next season he scored several goals during the the AFC Champions League, however, the club failed to progress to the playoffs that year. The CSL campaign was also far from success, as the side finished just sixth in the table.

Soon he experienced a decline in his form and his first-team place was taken by more consistent performers. So he was sent on loan to FC Tianjin Teda in 2012, where he could rediscover his best form being given regular first-team opportunities.

At the international level, the midfielder debuted in 2006, when he joined the China national football team for a friendly against Thailand, scoring a goal on his debut.