Dalian Shide F.C.
Zhang Yalin started his football career in the 2000 Chinese league season for Dalian Shide F.C. and would quickly establish himself within the team that won the league title. From then on he would become a vital member of the team and by 2003 he was selected to the China national under-23 football team but was injured in training, which ruled him out from any tournament. By 2006 in his personal life he married Jia Nini (贾妮妮), a Chinese model and actress. They named their daughter, who was born 12 July 2007, Zhang Shijia (张诗伽).