Li Zhilang

Li Zhilang (; born 22 August 1991) is a Chinese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Guangzhou Evergrande and Meizhou Hakka.

Club career Li Zhilang first started his footballing career with Guangzhou Evergrande's youth academy as a young player. Li was promoted to Guangzhou's first team squad by then manager Peng Weiguo in the 2010 season. The subsequent manager Lee Jang-soo handed Li his debut for Guangzhou on 25 April 2010 in an away draw against Chengdu Blades. In his first season with the club he go on to establish himself as a regular within the team and win the division title and promotion with the club at the end of the 2010 China League One season.

While Li may have been part of the squad that saw significant investment as Guangzhou won multiple league titles he saw very little playing time. In March 2014, Li moved to China League Two side Meizhou Kejia. He went on to win the 2015 China League Two division and promotion into the second tier. He would then go on to be a vital member of the team for several seasons until they gained promotion to the top tier after coming second within the division at the end of the 2021 China League One campaign, before he decided to retire.

International career Li was called up into the Chinese under-20 national team's squad by Su Maozhen in June 2009. He also took part in the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship qualification for China's qualifying matches.

Club statistics Statistics accurate as of match played 21 December 2022.

Honours

Club Guangzhou Evergrande Chinese Super League: 2011, 2012, 2013 China League One: 2010 AFC Champions League: 2013

Meizhou Kejia China League Two: 2015